Begonia

Begonia
	Begonia obliqua
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Cucurbitales
Family:	Begoniaceae
Genus:	Begonia; L.
Type species
	Begonia obliqua; L.
Species
	Main article: List of Begonia species
	Range of the genus Begonia
Synonyms
	List Augustia Klotzsch; Barya Klotzsch; Begoniella Oliv.; Casparya Klotzsch; Cladomischus Klotzsch ex A.DC.; Cyathocnemis Klotzsch; Diploclinium Lindl.; Donaldia Klotzsch; Doratometra Klotzsch; Eupetalum Lindl.; Ewaldia Klotzsch; Falkea J.Koenig ex Steud.; Gaerdtia Klotzsch; Gireoudia Klotzsch; Gurltia Klotzsch; Haagea Klotzsch; Huszia Klotzsch; Isopteryx Klotzsch; Knesebeckia Klotzsch; Lauchea Klotzsch; Lepsia Klotzsch; Magnusia Klotzsch; Mezierea Gaudich.; Mitscherlichia Klotzsch; Moschkowitzia Klotzsch; Nephromischus Klotzsch; Petermannia Klotzsch; Pilderia Klotzsch; Platycentrum Klotzsch; Platyclinium T.Moore; Pritzelia Klotzsch; Putzeysia Klotzsch; Rachia Klotzsch; Reichenheimia Klotzsch; Riessia Klotzsch; Rossmannia Klotzsch; Sassea Klotzsch; Saueria Klotzsch; Scheidweileria Klotzsch; Semibegoniella C.DC.; Sphenanthera Hassk.; Steineria Klotzsch; Stibadotheca Klotzsch; Symbegonia Warb.; Tittelbachia Klotzsch; Trachelanthus Klotzsch; Trachelocarpus Müll.Berol.; Trendelenburgia Klotzsch; Trilomisa Raf.; Wageneria Klotzsch; Weilbachia Klotzsch & Oerst.; ;

Begonia is a genus of perennial flowering plants in the family Begoniaceae. The genus contains more than 2,000 different plant species. The Begonias are native to moist subtropical and tropical climates. Some species are commonly grown indoors as ornamental houseplants in cooler climates. In cooler climates some species are cultivated outside in summertime for their bright colorful flowers, which have sepals but no petals.

Description

With 2,002 species, Begonia is one of the largest genera of flowering plants.^[1]^[2] The species are terrestrial (sometimes epiphytic) herbs or undershrubs, and occur in subtropical and tropical moist climates, in South and Central America, Africa, and southern Asia. Terrestrial species in the wild are commonly upright-stemmed, rhizomatous, or tuberous. The plants are monoecious, with unisexual male and female flowers occurring separately on the same plant; the male contains numerous stamens, and the female has a large inferior ovary and two to four branched or twisted stigmas. In most species, the fruit is a winged capsule containing numerous minute seeds, although baccate fruits are also known. The leaves, which are often large and variously marked or variegated, are usually asymmetric such that their left side and right side are different sizes.

Begonia brevirimosa
Begonia aconitifolia
A flowering begonia
Begonia cultivars come in many different colors, such as yellow
A begonia leaf
A pair of blossoms, male and female
A nautilus-leaf form of begonia
Begonia
Begonia leaf
Cracklin Rosie begonia
Cracklin Rosie begonia
Leaf of Begonia masoniana

Taxonomy

The genus name Begonia was coined by Charles Plumier, a French patron of botany, and adopted by Linnaeus in 1753, to honor Michel Bégon, a former governor of the French colony of Saint-Domingue (now Haiti).

Phylogeny

The following phylogenetic tree shows the relationships among sections of the genus Begonia.^[3]

Hillebrandia

Begonia

Yellow‑Flowering African Begonia (YFAB)

Section Scutobegonia

	Section Filicibegonia

	Section Loasibegonia

Section Erminea

Fleshy‑Fruited African Begonia (FFAB)

Section Quadrilobaria pro parte

	Section Mezierea

	Nerviplacentaria–Quadrilobaria Clade

Malagasy Begonia (MB)

Section Tetraphila pro parte

	Section Baccabegonia

	Section Squamibegonia

Section Tetraphila pro parte

Seasonally Dry Adapted African Begonia 1 (SDAAB 1)

	Section Sexalaria

	Section Rostrobegonia

Neotropical Clade 1

	Section Gaerdtia

	Section Latistigma

Section Tetrachia

	Section Kollmannia

	Begonia acetosa Clade

Section Donaldia

	Section Stellandrae

	Wagneria Clade

Core Pritzelia Clade

Asian Begonia

Socotran Begonia (SB)

Section Peltaugustia

	Section Reichenheimia pro parte

	Section Haagea

	Begonia dioica

	Section Reichenheimia pro parte

Asian Clade C

Section Lauchea

Section Parvibegonia + Begonia smithiae

Section Diploclinium pro parte

	Section Alicida

	Section Diploclinium pro parte

Begonia boisiana

Section Diploclinium pro parte

	Section Diploclinium pro parte

	Section Platycentrum

Asian Clade D

Section Coelocentrum

Begonia peltatifolia

Begonia amphioxus Clade

Section Ridleyella

Section Baryandra

Section Begonia olivacea

	Section Jackia

	Section Bracteibegonia

Ptermannia–Symbegonia Clade

Seasonally Dry Adapted African Begonia 2 (SDAAB 2)

Section Augustia

Neotropical Clade 2

Neotropical Clade 2‑iii

Begonia bifurcata

Section Eupetalum pro parte

	Begonia cremnophila Clade

	Section Knesebeckia I + Section Barya

Section Australes

Section Knesebeckia III pro parte

Begonia froebelii

Section Knesebeckia III pro parte

Begonia lutea

	Section Knesebeckia II

	Section Gobenia

Neotropical Clade 2‑i

Section Quadriperigonia

	Section Parietoplacentalia

	Section Urniformia

Section Gireoudia

Neotropical Clade 2‑ii

	Section Astrothrix

	Section Solananthera

Section Microtuberosa

	Section Pereira

	Section Trachelocarpus

	Section Rossmannia

	Section Pilderia

Section Ephemera

	Section Ruizopavonia

	Casparya–Semibegoniella Clade

Section Lepsia

Section Doratometra

Section Begonia

Begonia acutifolia Clade

	Section Hydristyles

	Section Cyathcnemis

Species

Selected species:^[4]

Cultivation

The different groups of begonias have different cultural requirements, but most species come from tropical regions, so they and their hybrids require warm temperatures. Most are forest understory plants and require bright shade; few will tolerate full sun, especially in warmer climates. In general, begonias require a well-drained growing medium that is neither constantly wet nor allowed to dry out completely. Many begonias will grow and flower year-round except for tuberous begonias, which usually have a dormant period. During this dormant period, the tubers can be stored in a cool, dry place. Begonias of the semperflorens group (or wax begonias) are frequently grown as bedding plants outdoors. Wax begonias are very attractive, they adapt well when brought inside the house for overwintering and can live up to 4-5 years.^[5]

A recent group of hybrids derived from this group is marketed as "Dragonwing" begonias; they are much larger both in leaf and in flower. Tuberous begonias are frequently used as container plants. Although most Begonia species are tropical or subtropical in origin, the Chinese species B. grandis is hardy to USDA hardiness zone 6 and is commonly known as the "hardy begonia". Most begonias can be grown outdoors year-round in subtropical or tropical climates, but in temperate climates, begonias are grown outdoors as annuals, or as house or greenhouse plants.

Most begonias are easily propagated by division or from stem cuttings. In addition, some can be propagated from leaf cuttings or even sections of leaves, particularly the members of the rhizomatous and rex groups.

Horticultural nomenclature

The nomenclature of begonias can be very complex and confusing. The term 'picotee' refers to edging on the petals that is in contrast to the color of the main petal if the colors blend. If they do not, then the term 'marginata' is used, but sometimes these terms are used simultaneously.^[6] 'Non-Stop' refers to a camellia tuberous hybrid that under certain conditions will bloom 'non-stop' all year round.

Cultivar groups

Because of their sometimes showy flowers of white, pink, scarlet, or yellow color and often attractively marked leaves, many species and innumerable hybrids and cultivars are cultivated. The genus is unusual in that species throughout the genus, even those coming from different continents, can frequently be hybridized with each other, and this has led to an enormous number of cultivars. The American Begonia Society is the International Cultivar Registration Authority for Begonia, and classifies them into several major groups:

Cane begonia – forms tough, bamboo-like canes
shrub-like
tuberous
rhizomatous
semperflorens (wax or fibrous rooted begonias)
Rex
trailing-scandent
thick-stemmed

For the most part, these groups do not correspond to any formal taxonomic groupings or phylogeny, and many species and hybrids have characteristics of more than one group or do not fit well in any of them.

AGM plants

The following is a selection from about 70 species, varieties and cultivars which currently hold the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:^[7]

Begonia 'Benitochiba'^[8]
Begonia dregei^[9]
Begonia foliosa var. miniata^[10]
Begonia 'Glowing Embers'^[11]
Begonia grandis subsp. evansiana^[12]
Begonia grandis subsp. evansiana var. alba^[13]
Begonia 'Green Gold'^[14]
Begonia listada^[15]
Begonia luxurians^[16]
Begonia masoniana^[17]
Begonia metallica^[18]
Begonia solananthera^[19]
Begonia soli-mutata^[20]
Begonia sutherlandii^[21]

Culture

The cultivar 'Kimjongilia' is a floral emblem of North Korea.

Most begonias are sour to the taste, and some people in some areas eat them. This is safe in small amounts but potentially toxic in large quantities due to the prevalence of oxalic acid in the tissues.^[22]

References

^ Frodin (2004).
^ "Begonia - Welcome".
^ Moonlight et al. (2018).
^ The Plant List
^ "How to care for beautiful Wax Begonia indoors (Easily)". Shiny Plant. 28 November 2020. Retrieved 2021-02-10.
^ Perry, Leonard. "Begonia". Perry's Perennial Pages. Archived from the original on 2013-05-02.
^ "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). RHS. March 2020. p. 10. Retrieved 2020-11-01.
^ "Begonia 'Benitochiba'". RHS. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
^ "Begonia dregei". RHS. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
^ "Begonia foliosa var. miniata". RHS. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
^ "Begonia 'Glowing Embers'". RHS. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
^ "Begonia grandis subsp. evansiana". RHS. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
^ "Begonia grandis subsp. evansiana var. alba". RHS. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
^ "Begonia 'Green Gold'". RHS. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
^ "Begonia listada". RHS. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
^ "Begonia luxurians". RHS. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
^ "Begonia masoniana". RHS. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
^ "Begonia metallica". RHS. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
^ "Begonia solananthera". RHS. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
^ "Begonia soli-mutata". RHS. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
^ "Begonia sutherlandii". RHS. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
^ Laferrière (1990).

Journal articles

Frodin, David G. (2004). "History and concepts of big plant genera". Taxon. 53 (3): 753–776. doi:10.2307/4135449. JSTOR 4135449.
Laferrière, Joseph E. (1990). "On the edibility of begonias". Begonian. 57: 175.
Moonlight PW, Ardi WH, Padilla LA, Chung K, Fuller D, Girmansyah D, Hollands R, Jara-Muñoz A, Kiew R, Leong W, Liu Y, Mahardika A, Marasinghe LD, O'Connor M, Peng C, Pérez ÁJ, Phutthai T, Pullan M, Rajbhandary S, Reynel C, Rubite RR, Sang J, Scherberich D, Shui Y, Tebbitt MC, Thomas DC, Wilson HP, Zaini NH, Hughes M (2018). "Dividing and conquering the fastest-growing genus: Towards a natural sectional classification of the mega-diverse genus Begonia (Begoniaceae)". Taxon. 67 (2): 267–323. doi:10.12705/672.3.

External links

[FOOTNOTEFrodin2004-1] Frodin (2004).

[2] "Begonia - Welcome".

[FOOTNOTEMoonlightArdiPadillaChung2018-3] Moonlight et al. (2018).

[4] The Plant List

[5] "How to care for beautiful Wax Begonia indoors (Easily)". Shiny Plant. 28 November 2020. Retrieved 2021-02-10.

[6] Perry, Leonard. "Begonia". Perry's Perennial Pages. Archived from the original on 2013-05-02.

[7] "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). RHS. March 2020. p. 10. Retrieved 2020-11-01.

[8] "Begonia 'Benitochiba'". RHS. Retrieved 2020-10-29.

[9] "Begonia dregei". RHS. Retrieved 2020-10-29.

[10] "Begonia foliosa var. miniata". RHS. Retrieved 2020-10-29.

[11] "Begonia 'Glowing Embers'". RHS. Retrieved 2020-10-29.

[12] "Begonia grandis subsp. evansiana". RHS. Retrieved 2020-10-29.

[13] "Begonia grandis subsp. evansiana var. alba". RHS. Retrieved 2020-10-29.

[14] "Begonia 'Green Gold'". RHS. Retrieved 2020-10-29.

[15] "Begonia listada". RHS. Retrieved 2020-10-29.

[16] "Begonia luxurians". RHS. Retrieved 2020-10-29.

[17] "Begonia masoniana". RHS. Retrieved 2020-10-29.

[18] "Begonia metallica". RHS. Retrieved 2020-10-29.

[19] "Begonia solananthera". RHS. Retrieved 2020-10-29.

[20] "Begonia soli-mutata". RHS. Retrieved 2020-10-29.

[21] "Begonia sutherlandii". RHS. Retrieved 2020-10-29.

[FOOTNOTELaferrière1990-22] Laferrière (1990).

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