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.