Begonia – Rhizomatous Types
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- beh-GO-nee-ah
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
This group includes species and hybrids that grow from a rhizome (a horizontal stem that creeps on the soil surface). They are members of the Begonia family (Begoniaceae). The rhizomatous type begonias are compact, mounding, colorful with patterned leaves and have a large display of flowers in the spring. The rhizome stores nutrients and water for the plant which helps this plant survive more readily than other types. They vary in size from very small to giant size. They can be found with multi-pointed leaves that are called "star begonias," and have distinctive foliage and may be heavily textured.
Several species of Begonia fall into the category of the rhizomatous type including: Begonia bowerae, Begonia cleopatrae, Begonia manicata, Begonia masoniana, Begonia prismatocarpa, and Begonia versicolor. Their native origin ranges from Central America, West Africa, the Philippines, and China to Vietnam.
Rhizomatous begonias prefer partial shade or dappled shade. Some can tolerate some morning or late afternoon sun, but direct sunlight should be avoided. They thrive in moist, well-drained soil. High humidity is required for most plants that have unusual foliage, and some species perform better if they are grown in terrariums. However, most of the rhizomatous types can tolerate 50% humidity. To maintain the plant, consider pinching the tips to encourage a bushier habit. The rhizomes will sometimes grow over the pot or grow upward. Pruning will help to contain the plant. They may be propagated by stem cuttings.
Depending on the species or hybrid, they may be considered for use in flower beds or borders, ground covers, hanging baskets, patios, containers, houseplants or terrariums.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Monitor for mealybugs, aphids and spider mites. Outdoor container plants may be troubled by slugs and snails. Provide good circulation and avoid overcrowding since this plant is susceptible to bacterial leaf spots, powdery mildew, blight, stem rot and crown rot
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Art Hodes'
compact, bushy, green grape-shaped leaves with fine red hairs, small white blooms from May to October - Begonia bowerae (Eyelash Begonia)
from Mexico, heart shaped, emerald green leaves with chocolate markings and bristles on leaf edges, pinkish white blooms
Begonia cleopatrae (Maple Leaf Begonia)
- Begonia manicata (Begonia manicata)
native Central America, green leaves, prominent veins, cranberry red serrate margins, salmon/pink blooms
Begonia masoniana (Iron Cross Begonia)
- Begonia prismatocarpa
native Liberia to Ivory Coast, Cameroon, miniature size, great for terrariums, yellow and orange blooms - Begonia versicolor
from China to Vietnam, velvet, dark green leaves, frost of silver, thick red hairs along the veins, pink blooms with red hairs - 'Martha Stewart'
compact, spiral, chartreuse to bronzy orange leaves with dark streaks, ruffled margins, pink blooms - 'Solar Flare'
dense, mounding, deep orange red leaves, maturing to bronzy orange, small pale pink blooms
from the Philippines; leathery chocolate brown leaves green at the main vein and leaf margins, undersides red, pink flowers
from China to Vietnam, bright green leaves with chocolate markings in the center resembles an iron cross, greenish- white blooms - 'Art Hodes'
- 'Art Hodes', Begonia bowerae (Eyelash Begonia), Begonia cleopatrae (Maple Leaf Begonia), Begonia manicata (Begonia manicata), Begonia masoniana (Iron Cross Begonia), Begonia prismatocarpa, Begonia versicolor, 'Martha Stewart', 'Solar Flare'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Art Hodes'
compact, bushy, green grape-shaped leaves with fine red hairs, small white blooms from May to October - Begonia bowerae (Eyelash Begonia)
from Mexico, heart shaped, emerald green leaves with chocolate markings and bristles on leaf edges, pinkish white blooms
Begonia cleopatrae (Maple Leaf Begonia)
- Begonia manicata (Begonia manicata)
native Central America, green leaves, prominent veins, cranberry red serrate margins, salmon/pink blooms
Begonia masoniana (Iron Cross Begonia)
- Begonia prismatocarpa
native Liberia to Ivory Coast, Cameroon, miniature size, great for terrariums, yellow and orange blooms - Begonia versicolor
from China to Vietnam, velvet, dark green leaves, frost of silver, thick red hairs along the veins, pink blooms with red hairs - 'Martha Stewart'
compact, spiral, chartreuse to bronzy orange leaves with dark streaks, ruffled margins, pink blooms - 'Solar Flare'
dense, mounding, deep orange red leaves, maturing to bronzy orange, small pale pink blooms
from the Philippines; leathery chocolate brown leaves green at the main vein and leaf margins, undersides red, pink flowers
from China to Vietnam, bright green leaves with chocolate markings in the center resembles an iron cross, greenish- white blooms - 'Art Hodes'
- 'Art Hodes', Begonia bowerae (Eyelash Begonia), Begonia cleopatrae (Maple Leaf Begonia), Begonia manicata (Begonia manicata), Begonia masoniana (Iron Cross Begonia), Begonia prismatocarpa, Begonia versicolor, 'Martha Stewart', 'Solar Flare'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Begonia
- Family:
- Begoniaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central America, Africa, and Southeast Asia depending on species
- Distribution:
- species from Central America, Cameroon, Liberia to the Ivory Coast, Philippines, and China to Vietnam
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Colorful
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Houseplant
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Mounding
- Maintenance:
- High
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Orange
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The flowers are cymes that measure 3/4 inch long and appear on stems that rise above the leaves. Blooming occurs in the spring and summer. The flower color is dependent on the species or hybrid. They range from pink, greenish-white, orange and yellow.
-
-
Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Orange
- Variegated
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaf size, color, and markings are dependent on the species or hybrid. Several have bright green leaves and chocolate markings. Some species have red hairs along the veins or margins. The leaves can measure from 1 inch to up to 8 inches long or larger. Chocolate brown markings in the center of the leaf resemble the Iron Cross on the Begonia masoniana. The leaves may have puckered and textured surfaces on some species.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Patio
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Humidity
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
-
-
Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- If ingested, kidney failure can occur in grazing animals. Vomiting and salivation can occur in cats and dogs. The sap causes skin irritation in humans.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- calcium oxalate
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Roots
- Sap/Juice
