Otto & Dietrich 1836
South Africa
Section Augustia
Appearance
An upright begonia that can reach 1 metre in height. Its distinctive feature is a swollen caudex, which gives it the look of a bonsai – hence its occasional nickname, “bonsai begonia”! The leaf blade is extremely variable: more or less lobed, more or less acuminate, sometimes spotted with white. These variations have given rise to a great many synonyms and names (B. partita, B. natalensis, B. suffruticosa…) that are not recognised by the Smithsonian. The flowers, usually white, can also be pink and slightly scented. The three-winged ovary is white at first, then turns green.
Culture
It makes an excellent houseplant. Place it in front of a north- or east-facing window. In winter it goes into semi-dormancy and loses its leaves and stems; water more sparingly at that time, but without letting the caudex shrivel. It flowers in spring and summer.
Propagation
It is easy to grow from seed, which produces plants with a fine caudex – unlike propagation from cuttings.
