Chiba University Matsudo/Kashiwa Campus Plant Database

Details of genus: Begonia L. [137]

genus_ja:

genus_en:

# spp.:

pub_year:

accepted: Accepted

Family: Begoniaceae

family_ja: シュウカイドウ

Infra familial classification:

distribution_en: Tropical to warm, esp. America

description_en: Genus of about 900 species and many cultivars of more or less fleshy annuals, herbaceous perennials, evergreen shrubs, and climbers, including some succulents and epiphytes. They are widespread in tropical and subtropical regions, between approximately 15°N. and 15°S. of the equator. Begonias are variable in habit and may be fibrous-rooted, rhizomatous, or tuberous, the tubers becoming dormant in winter. Some are cultivated for their colourful flowers and others for their decorative, alternate, generally asymmetric, simple to compound leaves. The flowers are usually borne in axillary or terminal cymes or racemes. All begonias have flowers of both sexes on the same inflorescence: male flowers with 2-4 unequal petals, female flowers with 2-6 equal petals. In frost-prone areas, grow begonias as container plants in the home or conservatory; the Semperflorens and Tuberhybrida groups may be used for summer bedding. Most begonias are suitable for permanent outdoor cultivation only in relatively humid, tropical and subtropical regions, where they are grown in a bed or border. For ease of reference, begonias may be divided into 7 informal groupings, based broadly on their growth habit and slightly differing cultivation needs.

hardiness_en: Most are frost tender; a few are half hardy.

cultivation_en:

propagation_en: Sow seed of species at 21°C (70°F) as soon as ripe, and seed of Tuberhybrida and Semperflorens hybrids in early spring. Root stem, tip, or leaf cuttings in spring or summer in a propagating case, in partial shade. Cut rhizomes into sections in summer. Root basal cuttings from tuberous begonias in spring, from winter-flowering begonias in early summer. Surface-sow bulbils on damp moss peat in spring. For further information, see the individual groups.

pests_en: Vulnerable to caterpillars, mealybugs, mites, thrips, vine weevils, aphids, grey mould (Botrytis) , powdery mildew, stem rot, and rhizome rot.

description_ja:

comment:

comment_ja: シュウカイドウ

type_species:

Phylogenetic definition:

Update Information: Created: 2007-12-06 12:51; Updated: 2022-03-09 15:20

family: