Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

General Subjects => General Forum => Topic started by: Stephenb on February 13, 2010, 12:56:23 PM

Title: Cyclamen in the diet....
Post by: Stephenb on February 13, 2010, 12:56:23 PM

I was reading an article about traditional wild edible plants in Palestine earlier today (as one does...) and I learnt that Cyclamen persicum is one of the top 5 wild edibles there,   the cooked leaves being stuffed in a similar way to vine leaves! Cyclamens are not mentioned in any of the large comprehensive ethnobotanical databases (such as pfaf.org and Cornucopia II), so this came as a bit of a surprise. I searched a bit more and it seems that it has also been a tradition in Iran and Greece and other species may also have been used.

On a blog, I came across the following comment from Cyclamen grower,  Melvyn Jope from 2008: "I am intending to prepare a short article on the use of cyclamen leaves in cooking for the Cyclamen Society Journal." Anyone know if this was published and if so how I can get a copy?

Thanks, Stephen

Title: Re: Cyclamen in the diet....
Post by: Diane Clement on February 13, 2010, 04:11:43 PM

Quote from: Stephenb on February 13, 2010, 12:56:23 PM

On a blog, I came across the following comment from Cyclamen grower,  Melvyn Jope from 2008: "I am intending to prepare a short article on the use of cyclamen leaves in cooking for the Cyclamen Society Journal." Anyone know if this was published and if so how I can get a copy?  Thanks, Stephen 

It was published in the Cyclamen Society Journal last year I think. I could scan it for you, but maybe easier to get it direct from Melvyn who is a forumist.

Title: Re: Cyclamen in the diet....
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 13, 2010, 04:44:15 PM

Something is eating the stems, but not the leaves, of one of my Cyclamen coum. Not sure if it is the same thing that has eaten my Iris unguicularius down to three inch stumps? Can see no foot prints anywhere in the garden, so it is a mystery.

Title: Re: Cyclamen in the diet....
Post by: Stephenb on February 13, 2010, 07:59:06 PM

Thanks, Diane!

Anthony: Not guilty ;)

Title: Re: Cyclamen in the diet....
Post by: David Shaw on February 13, 2010, 08:03:56 PM

I hope that the nice lady who does the food at Early Bulbs isn't adding this to her recipe list!

Title: Re: Cyclamen in the diet....
Post by: Anthony Darby on February 13, 2010, 09:33:04 PM

The old English name for Cyclamen purpurascens is sow bread because pigs (wild boar?) like to eat it.

Title: Re: Cyclamen in the diet....
Post by: Melvyn Jope on February 14, 2010, 08:57:09 PM

Hello Stephen, The article that was printed in the December 2008 Cyclamen Society Journal was 'Cooking with Cyclamen'. I wrote it having read that Cyclamen persicum leaves were used in Palestine(North West Bank) to make a dish rather like dolmades. I found that they were also used in Israel and on the Greek island of Simi.I have yet to try it myself but certainly will if the opportunity arises.
I will send you a copy of the journal.
Melvyn