B. mannii

Curtis's botanical magazine, v. 90 = ser. 3, v. 20, 1864 B. mannii: We have above given only the old generic character of Begonia, as considered in its integrity. The late Dr. Klotzsch has, in his ' Essay on Begonia,' formed several new genera, chiefly of American species, and M. De Candolle is far advanced with his materials, from a complete study of most ample suites of species and specimens of the family for a forthcoming volume of the ' Prodromus.' A new form among Begoniaceae has lately been discovered by Mr. Mann, is tropical, viz. the B. prismatocarpa, figured at Tab. 5307 of this work (vol. 88, for 1862), possessing an elongated, pod-like 4-celled capsule, quite destitute of wing! We are since in possession of two other West African species, with the same character, from the same indefatigable collector, of which one is here given. It was introduced living to Kew Gardens, in 1862, and was found on the Peak of Fernando Po, at an elevation of not more than 1300 feet above the level of the sea. Description: Epiphytal. Stem succulent, one and a half to two feet high, unbranched in our specimens, and glabrous. Leaves four to five inches long, petiolate, ovate, acuminate, scarcely perceptibly unequal-sided, distantly and irregularly subdentate, penniveined, glabrous above, beneath minutely punctated with very minute scale-like dots. Petiole one to two inches long, and the costa beneath, rufo-pubescent. Stipules large, membranaceous, subulato-lanceolate, deciduous. Peduncles axillary, short, fascicled, bearing from two to three flowers and a bract beneath them. Petals four, rose-color, two larger subovate, two smaller oblong- linear. Male flowers: Stamens sessile, arranged in a closely imbricated cone-shaped mass. Female flowers: With a nearly cylindrical tomentose ovary, tomentum mixed with laciniated scales. Capsule more than an inch long, siliquiform. Styles four, linear clavate, not capitate. The elongated inferior ovary, crowned with four spreading rose-colored petals, very much resemble the flower of an Epilobium with irregular petals.
Pests Diseases

• Classification: Species
• Plant Type: Trailing-Scandent
• Botanical Section: Tetraphila
• Origin: Africa, East, West & Central Africa
• Originator: Hook.f.
• Date of Origin: 1864