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| Rhizomatous Begonia called B' marmaduke |
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Rhizomatous The largest number
of species begonias is rhizomatous. These plants have a thickened stem with short
internodes, which usually runs on the soil .surface. Leaves come from the rhizome; rising above it, to form the plant.
These plants usually flower in the winter and early spring, (January through May) with small white or pink flowers hanging
on tall inflorescence that rise in the middle of the plant.
Begonias (genus Begonia) are among the largest of the flowering families.
There are over 1500 species known. They are native of sub-tropical and tropical regions such as Central and South America,
sub-Saharan Africa and southeastern Asia.
The Chinese gardens were growing begonia species (B.grandis) as early as
1400 and were introduced into Japan in
1641. The first begonia (B.minor) was introduced to Western horticulturists at Kew in England in1777. Although no records of their arrival into North
America are known, evidence shows many begonias state-side starting in the 1850.
The modern-day love of hybridizing begonias for colorful foliages and pretty
blooms grew from then on, and today there are over 12,000 cultivars of begonias
Last Updated
3/18/22
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