Begonia aconitifolia

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

Species Information

Classification and Distribution

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Habitat

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Characteristics

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. 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

Male and female flowers white; male flowers with 2 tepals; female flowers with 5 tepals.

Etymology

The specific epithet 'aconitifolia' - having leaves resembling the Aconitum or the Monkshood/ Wolf's bane plant, a temperate genus.

Comparison to Similar Species

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.

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 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.

Synonyms

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


References

https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/flora/5/7/5709

Photos

File:Begonianame.jpg
Name of begonia and source

External Links

Links to pages related to this species

[[Category:rhizomatous/Cane-like/shrub/Tuberous ]]