Begonia maculata

File:Begonia maculata.jpg

B. maculata

Quick Species Info

Species	maculata
Region	South America
Country	Brazil
Year published	1821
Date of Origin	1821
Plant Type	Cane-Like
Section	Gaerdtia
Chr 2n	40, 56?

Species Information

Classification

Begonia maculata is a species of begonia native to southeast Brazil. It is classified in the genus Begonia, section Gaerdtia.

Distribution

Begonia maculata is native to the Atlantic rainforest of Brazil, with occurrences confirmed in the Brazilian states of Espírito Santo and Rio de Janeiro. It has been introduced into Mexico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Argentina.

Habitat

Begonia maculata grows naturally in the understory of tropical rainforests. It prefers moist, well-drained soil and partial shade.

Characteristics

Begonia maculata is a perennial cane-Like begonia. It has dark green, oblong leaves with silvery-white spots. The undersides of the leaves are red-purple. The plant grows white flowers in clusters with yellow centers on a single stem.

Flower Details

Begonia maculata flowers bloom from spring to summer. The flowers are dioecious, meaning that male and female flowers are produced on separate plants. The male flowers are slightly smaller and have yellow stamens, whereas the female flowers have carpels.

Etymology

The name maculata comes from the latin word meaning "spotted". The name refers to the plant's distinctive spotted leaves.

cultivars

begonia maculata wightii

synonyms

B. U078

Comparison to Similar Species

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References

The Begonia Society: Begonia maculata

Wikipedia: Begonia maculata

Plants of the World Online: Begonia maculata

Photos

External Links

Begonia maculata on the American Begonia Society website

Begonia maculata on the International Begonia Society website