SOWBREAD: A genus of the monogynia order, belonging to the pentandria class of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 21st order, Preciae. The corolla is verticillated, with the tube very short, and the throat prominent; the berry is covered with the capsule. There are but two species; which, however, produce many beautiful varieties. They are low, herbaceous, flowery perennials of the tuberous rooted kind, with numerous, angular, heart-shaped, spotted, marbled leaves; with many fleshy foot-stalks six inches high, carrying monopetalous, five-parted reflexed flowers of various colors. All the varieties are extremely ornamental, and some of the flowers very fragrant. They may be planted in any of the common borders, but require to be sheltered from hard frosts by being covered with mats. They should also have a light dry soil; otherwise their roots are apt to rot. The species are propagated by seeds, and the particular varieties by dividing their roots.

The root of the cyclamen has, when fresh, an extremely acrimonious burning taste, which it loses almost entirely on being dried. It is recommended as an erthine; in cataplasms for scrophulous and cancerous tumors; and internally as a cathartic, detergent, and aperient. It operates very slowly, but with great virulence, inflaming the fauces and intestines.