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| | image = Begoniaaconitifolia1m.jpg | | | image = Begoniaaconitifolia1m.jpg |
| | caption = ''Begonia aconitifolia'' showing its characteristic deeply lobed leaves and cane-like growth. | | | caption = ''Begonia aconitifolia'' showing its characteristic deeply lobed leaves and cane-like growth. |
| | Species = ''Begonia aconitifolia''
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| | Publication = A.DC., Ann. Sci. Nat., Bot. sér. 4, 11: 127 (1859)
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| | Origin = [[Brazil]]
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| | Region = [[Rio de Janeiro]]
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| | Growth = Cane-like / Shrub
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| | Section = Knesebeckia
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| | Chromosome = 2n = 60
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| | note = Type species for the "Superba" group of cane begonias.
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| }} | | }} |
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| === Species Information === | | === Species Information === |
| | ==== Publication Date ==== |
| | ==== Origin ==== |
| | ==== Growth Type ==== |
| | ==== Section ==== |
| | ==== Chromosome = 2n = ==== |
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| ==== Classification ==== | | ==== Description ==== |
| '''''Begonia aconitifolia''''' is a species in the family **Begoniaceae**. It is classified as a cane-like begonia, specifically falling into the "Superba" horticultural group due to its deeply cut leaves. While it exhibits the tall, bamboo-like stems typical of canes, it also possesses a tuberous base, which aligns it with the section ''Knesebeckia''.
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| ==== Distribution ==== | | ==== Distribution ==== |
| This species is endemic to **Brazil**, specifically found in the state of **Rio de Janeiro**. It grows in the Neotropical realm.
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| ==== Habitat ==== | | ==== Habitat ==== |
| In its natural environment, ''B. aconitifolia'' thrives in the **Atlantic Forest** (Mata Atlântica) biome. It is an understory shrub that prefers wet, tropical conditions, growing in shaded areas with high humidity and well-draining organic soil.
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| ==== Characteristics ====
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| * **Growth Habit:** It is a tall, erect species that can reach heights of 1 to 2 meters (3 to 6 feet). The stems are bamboo-like, green to reddish, with swollen nodes.
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| * **Foliage:** The specific epithet refers to its most distinct feature: deeply palmately lobed leaves that resemble the foliage of ''Aconitum'' (Monkshood). The leaves are asymmetrical, dark green with metallic silver splotches or droplets between the veins, and have a reddish-purple underside.
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| * **Roots:** Unlike many other canes, this species forms a swollen, tuberous rootstock at the base.
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| ==== Flower Details ==== | | ==== Flower Details ==== |
| The plant produces large, pendulous clusters (panicles) of flowers.
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| * **Color:** Flowers range from white to pale pink.
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| * **Season:** It typically blooms in late summer to autumn.
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| * **Type:** Monoecious, bearing both male and female flowers on the same inflorescence.
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| ==== Etymology ==== | | ==== Etymology ==== |
| The botanical name ''aconitifolia'' is derived from two Latin words:
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| * **''Aconitum''**: A genus of flowering plants in the Ranunculaceae family (commonly known as Monkshood or Wolfsbane).
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| * **''-folia''**: Meaning "leaf".
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| Together, it translates to "Aconite-leaved Begonia," referring to the deep, finger-like lobes of the leaves.
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| ==== Comparison to Similar Species ==== | | ==== Comparison to Similar Species ==== |
| * **''Begonia sceptrum'':** ''B. aconitifolia'' is frequently confused with ''Begonia sceptrum''. In horticulture, ''B. sceptrum'' is often distinguished by having even more deeply cut leaves and a more distinct pink/purple coloration, though taxonomically, ''B. sceptrum'' is often treated as a synonym or a variety of ''B. aconitifolia''.
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| * **Hybrids:** It is a parent to many famous "Superba" cane hybrids, such as ''Begonia'' 'Sophie Cecile' and ''Begonia'' 'Metallic', imparting its lobed leaves and silver spotting to its progeny.
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| === Photos === | | === Photos === |
| [[File:Begonia_aconitifolia_leaf.jpg|thumb|center|Close up of the deeply lobed, silver-spotted leaf.]]
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| [[File:Begonia_aconitifolia_flower.jpg|thumb|center|Inflorescence showing white to pink flowers.]]
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| === External Links === | | === External Links === |
| * [http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:104113-1 Plants of the World Online: Begonia aconitifolia]
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| * [https://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Begonia_aconitifolia Wikispecies: Begonia aconitifolia]
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| ==== References ==== | | ==== References ==== |
| * Candolle, A.L.P.P. de (1859). *Annales des Sciences Naturelles; Botanique*, sér. 4, 11: 127.
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| * Legro, R. A. H., & Doorenbos, J. (1969). Chromosome numbers in Begonia. *Netherlands Journal of Agricultural Science*, 17, 189-202.
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| * Kew Science. *Plants of the World Online*. "Begonia aconitifolia A.DC."
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| [[Category:Begonia Species]] | | [[Category:Begonia Species]] |
| [[Category:Cane-like Begonias]] | | [[Category:Cane-like]] |
| [[Category:Flora of Brazil]] | | [[Category:Flora of Brazil]] |
| [[Category:Flora of Rio de Janeiro]] | | [[Category:Flora of Rio de Janeiro]] |
| [[Category:Section Knesebeckia]] | | [[Category:Section Knesebeckia]] |
