Begonia

begonia (bĭgōn`yə), any plant of the large genus Begonia and common name for the family Begoniaceae, mostly succulent perennial herbs of the American tropics cultivated elsewhere as bedding or pot plants and easily propagated by stem and leaf cuttings as well as by seed. Some kinds are grown as house plants for their showy, variously colored leaves—rex begonias—and some for their white, pink, red, or yellow flowers, sometimes double. There are a large number of hybrids. Begonias are classified in the division Magnoliophyta, class Magnoliopsida, order Violales.

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begonia

Any of about 1,000 species (genus Begonia) of mostly succulent, tropical or subtropical plants, many with colourful flowers or leaves and used as potted plants indoors or as garden plants. Begonias come in a bewildering array of cultivated varieties. The wax begonia (B. semperflorens) is the most popular for use as a summer bedding plant; angelwing begonias are characterized by their tall stems; hairy begonias have feltlike leaves. Most begonias are tender and intolerant of dry conditions; they require protection from strong sunlight.

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begonia

any plant of the genus Begonia, of warm and tropical regions, widely cultivated for their ornamental leaves and waxy flowers: family Begoniaceae

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Begonia 

a genus of plants of the family Begoniaceae.

Begonias are shrubs (rarely, climbing ones) or subshrubs. They are herbs with creeping or tuberously thickened rhizomes that sometimes have tubers. The leaves are generally asymmetrical and are often beautifully colored (especially in cultivated species). The flowers are irregular and unisexual or monoecious. The leaflets of the perianth are irregular and brightly colored. The fruit of the begonia is a pod.

There are approximately 800 species of begonias in the tropics and subtropics (except Australia). Many species are grown indoors and in the ground as decorative plants. Begonias are classified as shrubs or tuberous plants (with abundant, brightly colored flowers) and leafy plants (with beautifully colored leaves). Some species of begonias have creeping forms that are used as hanging plants. Begonias reproduce by seeds, cuttings, and leaves (even parts of them) that produce shoots from the newly formed adventitious buds.

REFERENCES

Mnogoletnie tsvety otkrytogo grunta. Moscow, 1959.
Kiselev, G. E. Tsvetovodstvo, 3rd ed. Moscow, 1964.