Begonia aconitifolia
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
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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
Another Look at B. sceptrum and B. aconitifolia
Photos
External Links
Links to pages related to this species
