B. 'Octavie Malet'

Also written as B. 'Octavie Mallet.' The plants in question possess particular merits,
which I shall highlight by describing them; they are: Begonia 'Octavie Malet'. — A dwarf plant, exceptionally prolific in flowering. Stems are robust, stiff, upright, and nearly hairless, reaching a height of 15–20 centimeters; they are whitish or slightly tinged with color. The leaves are borne on a strong, stiff, cylindrical stalk; the leaf blade is barely equilateral, subpeltate, and thick, with a rounded outline and nearly entire margins. The flower stalks are numerous, multi-flowered, very stiff, and strictly upright, rising well above the foliage; they are slightly rust-pink and hairless or nearly so. The buds are slightly pinkish. The flowers are ranunculus-like, very full, and a beautiful white; the outer petals are broadly oval-rounded, while the inner ones are much smaller and very tightly packed, white with a very slight sulfur-yellow tinge. This plant, raised by M. Malet at Le Plessis-Piquet, is highly prized and sought after for outdoor cultivation. It can also be grown as a border plant, creating a charming effect until destroyed by frost. Its long-lasting flowers, borne on long stalks, resemble small camellias and are excellent for use in bouquets. To date, B. 'Octavie Malet' has produced only very full—and consequently sterile—male flowers.

• Classification: Cultivar
• Plant Type: Tuberous
• Origin: Europe, France
• Originator: Malet
• Date of Origin: 1886