Species
Begonia foliosa var. miniata
Etymology
Begonia: Named after Micheal Begon (1638-1710), 18th century governor of French Canada and amateur botanist.
foliosa: leafy
Common Name(s)
Fuchsia begonia
Authority
Begonia foliosa var. miniata (Planch. & Linden) L.B.Sm. & B.G.Schub.
Family
Begoniaceae
Brief Description
Erect sub-shrub with slender stems to 50 cm. Leaves oblong-ovate to sickle-shaped, toothed, shiny, mid-green.
Flowers monoecious, arranged in a pendulous cyme.
Flora Category
Vascular -
Structural Class
Dicotyledonous Herbs other than Composites
Synonyms
Begonia fuchsioides
Begonia foliosa var. miniata is "... probably a hybrid or a selection of Begonia fuchsioides as the species actually has bright red flowers." http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=2202
Habitat
Lowland forest. One known location in NZ native forest - Bushy Park near Whanganui. This site was intact indigenous forest, remote from any planted exotic plants. The means by which this Begonia reached the site is unknown. Gardeners usually propagate this Begonia by cuttings but some authorities state it can be grown from seed, e.g. https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/2009/Begonia-foliosa-var-miniata/Details
Flower Colours
Red / Pink
This page last updated on 27 Oct 2019