cyclamen

plural cyclamens

1. Any of various primulaceous flowering plants, of the genus Cyclamen, widely cultivated as a houseplant, having decorative leaves and solitary flowers.

   An expectant mother would avoid cyclamen, stepping over it being an ominous sign.

   1940, Rosetta E. Clarkson, Green Enchantments: The Magic Spell of Gardens, The Macmillan Company, page 268

   2 more examples

   The root of the cyclamen, sowbread, was used in ancient times as an ingredient in love potions.

   1961, Harry E. Wedeck, Dictionary of Aphrodisiacs, New York: The Citadel Press, page 72

   An interesting cyclamen was also found here with dark rounded unmarbled leaves, but unfortunately without flowers […]

   1973, Patrick Millington Synge, In search of flowers

   Synonyms: sowbread

2. A purplish-red colour.

   Sepia Delft tiles surrounded the fireplace, their crudely drawn Biblical scenes in faded cyclamen blending with the pinkish pine, while above them, instead of a mantelshelf, there was an archway high enough to form a balcony with slender balusters and a tapestry-hung wall behind.

   1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 3, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC