A.DC. 1859
Borneo
Section Petermannia
Appearance
Shrub-like begonia with glossy foliage. Elongated leaves with a toothed, crenate margin edged with brown. Blade acuminate and glabrous, pinnate veins, petiole brown and glabrous. Whitish, pointed stipules. Pale pink inflorescences, axillary and very full, 4 to 5 times dichotomous. Male flowers with 2 pinkish tepals, stamens in a ball on a receptacle. Female flowers with 5 rounded tepals, elongated brown ovary with 3 equal wings, peduncle brownish and glabrous. Large pinkish bracteoles, oval and pointed, deciduous.
Culture
Very free-flowering begonia, needs warmth and humid air. Likes being planted in the ground, in an acid, well-drained soil mix. Grows very well in a pot. No particular disease, perhaps a few mealybugs.
Propagation
Stem cuttings fairly easy to do, in a mix of sand or sphagnum. Seed sowing possible, or division of the clump to get potted plants faster. Seeds easy to collect.
Text: Évelyne Bouquet, growing sheet 144/4 of Le Bégofil.
