Begonia cucullata
Begonia cucullata, also known as wax begonia and clubed begonia,[1] is a species of the Begoniaceae that is native to South American countries of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.[2] A common garden plant and part of the section Begonia, it was described in 1805 by Carl Ludwig Willdenow (1765–1812). The specific epithet "cucullata" means "resembling a hood" or "hooded".[3]
Begonia cucullata | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Cucurbitales |
Family: | Begoniaceae |
Genus: | Begonia |
Species: | B. cucullata |
Binomial name | |
Begonia cucullata Carl Ludwig Willdenow, 1805 | |
Synonyms | |
Begonia cucullata var. cucullata |
Description
The plant is an upright growing, herbaceous perennial that has almost symmetrical succulent pale green to pale reddish brown leaves that are ovate, glabrous 4–8 cm. long and 6 cm wide, with edged, glossy and toothed crenation.[4] Grown as a groundcover, the flowers of the plant are red, pink or white that bloom in the summer or year-round in warmer places, and the fruits have three wings.[5][6]
Range
Native to South America, Wax begonia is also found, and is an invasive species, in Florida, namely from the northern and central peninsula west to central panhandle and also in Georgia. The plant may invade waysides, deforested areas, overgrazed pastureland, and wastelands.[7]
Cultivation
Because they are such productive seed producers, seeds are thought to be the primary execution of dissemination. Begonias can also root very well, but this technique of biological process may not play a leading role in natural conditions. Older varieties prefer shade, though newer varieties tolerate both full sun and shade. Indoors, they can thrive in a south or east-facing window, provided they are acclimated when their environment is changed.[8]
Varieties
According to Catalog of Life (February 6, 2017) 6 and Kew Garden World Checklist, these varieties exist:[9][10]
- Begonia cucullata var. cucullata
- Begonia cucullata var. hookeri (A.DC.) LBSm. & BGSchub. (1941)
- Begonia cucullata var. spatulata (G.Lodd. ex Haw.) Golding (1982)
- Begonia cucullata var. subcucullata (C.DC.)
According to Tropicos (February 6, 2017):[11]
- Begonia cucullata var. arenosicola (C. DC.) LB Sm. & BG Schub.
- Begonia cucullata var. cucullata
- Begonia cucullata var. hookeri LB Sm. & BG Schub.
- Begonia cucullata var. sellowii A. DC.
- Begonia cucullata var. spatulata (Lodd.) Golding
- Begonia cucullata var. subcucullata (C. DC.) ined.
Gallery
- Botanical illustration
- In natural habitat
- In the wild
- At a botanical garden
References
- database, The PLANTS Database, 2000
- Begonia cucullata
- Begonia cucullata
- database, NODC Taxonomic Code, 1996
- Begonia cucullata – Wax Begonia
- "(Canada);http://siit.conabio.gob.mx (Mexico) ITIS Regional: The Integrated Taxonomic Information System". Archived from the original Check
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value (help) on April 29, 2017. Retrieved June 5, 2019. - Begoniaceae of North America Update,
- Langeland, K.A. and K. Craddock Burks. 1998. Identification and Biology of Non-Native Plants in Florida’s Natural Areas. IFAS Publication SP 257. University of Florida, Gainesville. 165 pp.
- Begonia cucullata Willd.
- Roskov Y.; Kunze T.; Orrell T.; Abucay L.; Paglinawan L.; Culham A.; Bailly N.; Kirk P.; Bourgoin T.; Baillargeon G.; Decock W.; De Wever A. (2014). Didžiulis V. (ed.). "Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2014 Annual Checklist". Species 2000: Reading, UK. Retrieved May 26, 2014.
- database, The PLANTS Database, 1996
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