Begonia aconitifolia: Difference between revisions

**Quick Species Info**
Species	Begonia aconitifolia
Region	South America
Country	Brazil
Year published	1940
Date of Origin
Plant Type	Cane-like
Section	Latistigma
Chr 2n

Revision as of 10:27, 27 January 2025

Species Information

Classification

Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Angiosperms
Order: Cucurbitales
Family: Begoniaceae
Genus: Begonia
Section: Latistigma
Species: Begonia aconitifolia
Authority: Alphonse Pyramus de Candolle (1864)

Distribution

Begonia aconitifolia is native to Brazil, specifically in the Atlantic Forest biome. It thrives in humid, subtropical environments, often found in shaded understories or along forest edges.

Habitat

This species grows in humid, shaded environments typical of the Atlantic Forest, often in well-drained, organic-rich soils. It is adapted to areas with high humidity and moderate light, avoiding direct sunlight.

Characteristics

Begonia aconitifolia is a cane-like begonia that can grow up to 1.5 meters tall. It is notable for developing a caudex (a thickened stem base) as it matures, which is uncommon among cane-like begonias.

- Leaves: Palmately lobed, with a mid-green base color. The leaf blade features silvery-white markings, which can range from sparse streaks to dense clusters, sometimes covering almost the entire leaf except for the veins. Juvenile leaves are light green with a pale pink to reddish tinge. - Stems: Thick, cane-like, and upright, with a woody base as the plant ages.

Flower Details

- Flowers: The species produces panicles of white flowers.

 - Male flowers: Have 2 tepals.
 - Female flowers: Have 5 tepals.

- Blooming season: Typically blooms during the warmer months, from late spring to early autumn.

Etymology

The specific epithet aconitifolia refers to the resemblance of its leaves to those of the genus Aconitum (Monkshood or Wolf's Bane), a temperate plant known for its deeply lobed foliage.

Comparison to Similar Species

Begonia aconitifolia is often compared to Begonia pachypoda (also known as Begonia leathermania), as both species share: - Similar leaf shapes. - A caudex-forming growth habit. - Membership in the Latistigma section.

Superba Hybrids

The Superba hybrids are a group of begonias that often include Begonia aconitifolia as a parent plant. These hybrids are characterized by: - Large, lobed, or deeply cleft leaves. - Robust, cane-like growth. - Diverse leaf patterns and colors.

The first Superba hybrid, Begonia 'Superba Azella, was created in 1926' by Eva Kenworthy Gray, who crossed Begonia aconitifolia with Begonia 'Lucerna. This marked the beginning of a long lineage of Superba hybrids, many of which retain traits from B. aconitifolia.

Synonyms

Begonia faureana Garnier
Begonia faureana var. argentea Linden
Begonia faureana var. metallica Rodigas
Begonia kimusiana C.Chev.
Begonia sceptrum Rodigas

Conservation Status

Begonia aconitifolia has not been evaluated by the IUCN Red List. However, its native habitat in the Atlantic Forest is under threat due to deforestation and habitat fragmentation.

Additional Notes

- Cultivation: Begonia aconitifolia is popular among begonia enthusiasts for its striking foliage and unique growth habit. It prefers bright, indirect light, high humidity, and well-draining soil. - Propagation: Can be propagated through stem cuttings or seeds.

Photos

Begonia aconitifolia flowers. Photo by Nathaniel Greenleaf

References

1. NParks Flora & Fauna Web: Begonia aconitifolia 2. American Begonia Society: What is a Superba? 3. American Begonia Society: Another Look at B. sceptrum and B. aconitifolia 4. Golding, J., & Wasshausen, D. C. (2002). Begoniaceae. In: Flora of the Venezuelan Guayana.

External Links

- Kew Science: Begonia aconitifolia - American Begonia Society

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 __NOTOC__
 __INDEX__
 <div class="page-container">
-  <div class="infobox-container">
+<div class="infobox-container">
-    <div class="infobox">
+<div class="infobox">
-      <div class="infoboximg">
+<div class="infoboximg">
-    [[File:Begoniaaconitifolia1.jpg|thumb|center| Begonia acontifolia Photo By Nathaniel Greenleaf]]
+[[File:Begoniaaconitifolia1.jpg|thumb|center| ''Begonia aconitifolia''. Photo by Nathaniel Greenleaf]]
-        </div>
+</div>
-        {{Infoboxsp
+{{Infoboxspv2
-        | species = aconitifolia
+| name = ''Begonia aconitifolia''
-        | region = South America
+| image = Begoniaaconitifolia1.jpg
-        | country = Brazil
+| image_caption = ''Begonia aconitifolia''. Photo by Nathaniel Greenleaf
-        | year_published = 1940
+| species = ''Begonia aconitifolia''
-        | Date_of_Origin = NA
+| authority = A.DC. (1864)
-        | plant_type = Cane-like
+| region = South America
-        | section = Latistigma
+| country = Brazil
-        | Chr_2n =
+| year_published = 1940
-        }}
+| plant_type = Cane-like
-    </div>
+| section = Latistigma
+| chromosome_number = 2n = 22 (source: Golding & Wasshausen, 2002)
+| conservation_status = Not evaluated (IUCN)
+}}
+</div>
 </div>
 <div class="content">
-=== Species Information ===
+== Species Information ==
-==== Classification and Distribution ====
-Begonia aconitifolia is a species of plant in the family Begoniaceae, endemic to Brazil. It is a cane-like Begonia species that grows up to 1 meter in height, with panicles of white flowers.
-==== Habitat ====
-Please fill in details
+=== Classification ===
+* '''Kingdom:''' Plantae
+* '''Clade:''' Angiosperms
+* '''Order:''' Cucurbitales
+* '''Family:''' Begoniaceae
+* '''Genus:''' ''Begonia''
+* '''Section:''' Latistigma
+* '''Species:''' ''Begonia aconitifolia''
+* '''Authority:''' Alphonse Pyramus de Candolle (1864)
-==== Characteristics ====
+=== Distribution ===
-Begonia aconitfolia is a thick stem cane like Begonia that can grow up 1.5 meters tall. It also grows a caudex at the base of the plant unlike many other cane like species.
+''Begonia aconitifolia'' is native to '''Brazil''', specifically in the Atlantic Forest biome. It thrives in humid, subtropical environments, often found in shaded understories or along forest edges.
-Leaves palmately lobed, base color mid green. Leaf blade with silvery white markings; markings very faint - dense; appearing as sparse, thin streaks or clustered spots, or covering almost the entire leaf blade with the exception of the vein. Juvenile leaves light green with pale pink - reddish tinge.
-==== Flower Details ====
+=== Habitat ===
+This species grows in '''humid, shaded environments''' typical of the Atlantic Forest, often in well-drained, organic-rich soils. It is adapted to areas with high humidity and moderate light, avoiding direct sunlight.
-Male and female flowers white; male flowers with 2 tepals; female flowers with 5 tepals.
+=== Characteristics ===
+''Begonia aconitifolia'' is a '''cane-like begonia''' that can grow up to '''1.5 meters tall'''. It is notable for developing a '''caudex''' (a thickened stem base) as it matures, which is uncommon among cane-like begonias.
-==== Etymology ====
+- '''Leaves:''' Palmately lobed, with a mid-green base color. The leaf blade features '''silvery-white markings''', which can range from sparse streaks to dense clusters, sometimes covering almost the entire leaf except for the veins. Juvenile leaves are light green with a pale pink to reddish tinge.
+- '''Stems:''' Thick, cane-like, and upright, with a woody base as the plant ages.
-The specific epithet 'aconitifolia' - having leaves resembling the Aconitum or the Monkshood/ Wolf's bane plant, a temperate genus.
+=== Flower Details ===
+- '''Flowers:''' The species produces '''panicles of white flowers'''.
+  - '''Male flowers:''' Have '''2 tepals'''.
+  - '''Female flowers:''' Have '''5 tepals'''.
+- '''Blooming season:''' Typically blooms during the warmer months, from late spring to early autumn.
-==== Comparison to Similar Species ====
+=== Etymology ===
+The specific epithet '''aconitifolia''' refers to the resemblance of its leaves to those of the genus '''Aconitum''' (Monkshood or Wolf's Bane), a temperate plant known for its deeply lobed foliage.
-Begonia acontifolia resembles [[Begonia pachypoda]] (aka Begonia leathermania) both have similar shaped leaves while also having a caudex and growing habits. Both are part of the section Latistigma.
+=== Comparison to Similar Species ===
+''Begonia aconitifolia'' is often compared to '''''Begonia pachypoda''''' (also known as '''''Begonia leathermania'''''), as both species share:
+- Similar leaf shapes.
+- A caudex-forming growth habit.
+- Membership in the '''Latistigma section'''.
 === Superba Hybrids ===
-Superba is a section of hybrids that often incorporate Begonia aconitifolia as one of their parent plants. Originally, superba canes were defined by their parentage, including B. aconitifolia and pachypoda which were characterized by large, lobed or deeply cleft leaves on robust plants. Over time, many generations of hybrids have been created, resulting in a diverse range of canes with mixed parentage.
+The '''Superba hybrids''' are a group of begonias that often include ''Begonia aconitifolia'' as a parent plant. These hybrids are characterized by:
+- Large, lobed, or deeply cleft leaves.
+- Robust, cane-like growth.
+- Diverse leaf patterns and colors.
-The name and classification of first Superba Hybrids came about in 1926 when Eva Kenworthy Gray crossed Begonia aconitifolia  with begonia ‘Lucerna’ and named it Begonia ‘Superba Azella’. She went on to use the name in many other hybrids with Begonia aconitifolia or liniage of aconitifolia.
+The first Superba hybrid, '''''Begonia 'Superba Azella''''', was created in '''1926''' by '''Eva Kenworthy Gray''', who crossed ''Begonia aconitifolia'' with ''Begonia 'Lucerna'''. This marked the beginning of a long lineage of Superba hybrids, many of which retain traits from ''B. aconitifolia''.
-==Synonyms==
+=== Synonyms ===
 * ''Begonia faureana'' Garnier
 * ''Begonia faureana'' var. ''argentea'' Linden
@@ Line 62: / Line 81: @@
 * ''Begonia sceptrum'' Rodigas
+=== Conservation Status ===
+''Begonia aconitifolia'' has not been evaluated by the '''IUCN Red List'''. However, its native habitat in the Atlantic Forest is under threat due to deforestation and habitat fragmentation.
-==== References ====
+=== Additional Notes ===
+- '''Cultivation:''' ''Begonia aconitifolia'' is popular among begonia enthusiasts for its striking foliage and unique growth habit. It prefers '''bright, indirect light''', high humidity, and well-draining soil.
+- '''Propagation:''' Can be propagated through stem cuttings or seeds.
-[https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/flora/5/7/5709 Nparks Begonia aconitfolia]
+== Photos ==
+[[File:Begoniaacontifoliaflowers.jpg|thumb|center|''Begonia aconitifolia'' flowers. Photo by Nathaniel Greenleaf]]
-[https://www.begonias.org/what-is-a-superba/ What is a Superba]
+== References ==
+. [https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/flora/5/7/5709 NParks Flora & Fauna Web: ''Begonia aconitifolia'']
+. [https://www.begonias.org/what-is-a-superba/ American Begonia Society: What is a Superba?]
+. [https://www.begonias.org/another-look-at-b-sceptrum-and-b-aconitifolia/ American Begonia Society: Another Look at ''B. sceptrum'' and ''B. aconitifolia'']
+. Golding, J., & Wasshausen, D. C. (2002). Begoniaceae. In: Flora of the Venezuelan Guayana.
-[https://www.begonias.org/another-look-at-b-sceptrum-and-b-aconitifolia/ Another Look at B. sceptrum and B. aconitifolia]
+== External Links ==
+- [https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:104134-1 Kew Science: ''Begonia aconitifolia'']
+- [https://www.begonias.org/ American Begonia Society]
-=== Photos ===
+</div>
-[[File:Begoniaacontifoliaflowers.jpg|thumb|center|Begonia acontifolia flowers Picture By Nathaniel Greenleaf]]
-=== External Links ===
-Links to pages related to this species
- </div>
 </div>
-[[Category:species]]
+[[Category:Species]]
 [[Category:Cane-like]]
 [[Category:South America]]

Species	Begonia aconitifolia
Region	South America
Country	Brazil
Year published	1940
Date of Origin
Plant Type	Cane-like
Section	Latistigma
Chr 2n