cyclamen come from the mediterranean, from spain to iran. they are also found from northeast africa to somalia. they are perennial herbaceous aestivating plants, with a surface or underground tuber (derived from the hypocotyl) 4-12 cm diameter, which produces leaves in late winter, and flowers in the autumn; the leaves die down during the hottest part of the mediterranean summer drought to save water. each leaf or flower grows on its own stem, which shoots up from the hypocotyl. the variegation is thought by some botanists to be a form of natural disruptive camouflage to reduce grazing damage by animals.