.:: Asiatic Green ::.:: Begonias ::

What are Begonias?

Begonia is the common name as well as the generic name for all members of the genus, Begoniaceae.
They are terrestrials (sometimes epiphytic) herbs or undershrubs.
They occur in subtropical and tropical moist climates, in South and Central America, Africa and southern Asia.
Terrestrial species in the wild are commonly upright-stemmed, rhizomatous, or tuberous.

Find out more at our Begonias Culture Guide .

The young leaf of a begonia Species from limestone hills of Sarawak.

No.

Begonia

Descriptions

Culture

Begonia cucullata (Peninsular Malaysia)
A species from Brazil that escaped into Cameron and Genting Highlands. They grow well on moist slopes and propagate very quickly by dispersing seeds. They have lush green leaves with waxy deep pink flowers.

Begonia decora (Peninsular Malaysia)
This species is endemic to the main mountain range from Perak to Pahang. They grow in Montane conditions of above 1100m and in deep shade along moist slopes near to steams.

Begonia brevirimosa (Papua New Guinea)
This species is from Papua New Guinea and has been called B.”Exotica”. It can grow in lowland conditions and can grow to about 4ft tall. The leaves are in red and dark green and they propagates easily by leave cuttings.

Begonia ignorata (Peninsular Malaysia)
This is an endemic species restricted to lowland limestone hills of Kelantan, Pahang and Trengganu. It grows in damp and lightly shaded rock faces of boulders and cliffs. Their leaf shape varies from different places.

Begonia integrifolia (Peninsular Malaysia)
This is a lowland species that can be found from India to P.Malaysia, usually growing on open slopes land near limestone hills or damp limestone forest. It can be rather variable and may forms have been described.

Begonia integrifolia (Peninsular Malaysia)
Although the same species, it has a completely different appearance. It is a tuberous begonia and during propagation, a tuber will develop from a leave cutting before any signs of growth of leaves and stem.

Begonia integrifolia (Peninsular Malaysia)
Another variation of the leaves.

Begonia kingiana (Peninsular Malaysia)
This species is endemic to Peninsular Malaysia. It is restricted to limestone hills, growing in deep shade on vertical cliffs.

Begonia masoniana (China)
This is a rhizomatic evergreen Begonia also know as "Iron Cross". The name came from the dark pattern on the leaf surface that resemble the Iron Cross insignia of the German decorative medallion.

Begonia pavonina (Peninsular Malaysia)
One of the most attractive begonia in Malaysia because its leaves changes color from an iridescent blue to bright green at different light angle. It is also know as the Peacock Begonia.

Begonia pavonina (Peninsular Malaysia)
This species is endemic to Pahang and grows in montane forest at an altitude of 1000 - 1400m. It can be commonly seen growing on rocks and earth slopes along streams.

Begonia propinqua (Malaysia, Sarawak )
This species can be found on lowland hills of Sarawak and they grow in humid forest in shade. They grow on rock faces along streams and on slopes. They can grow to 4-6ft tall.

Begonia propinqua (Malaysia, Sarawak )
This species is found in Kuching, Sarawak.

Begonia pubescens (Malaysia, Sarawak )
This species was discovered in lowland forest of Sarawak. Unlike most begonias found in Sarawak, this species grows in less moist conditions but near streams. This species has fury leaves and do not grow in abundance and hard to spot.

Begonia speluncae (Malaysia, Sarawak )
This lowland miniature species with rounded leaves can be seen in growing in dark limestone caves of Sarawak. The soil of the caves may be high in nitrogen as it can be covered with Bat droppings.

Begonia speluncae (Malaysia, Sarawak )
"Round leaves" (Malaysia, Sarawak )
This species do not receive rainfall but humidity from the air in the caves.

Begonia venusta (Peninsular Malaysia)
This species is endemic to P.Malaysia and can be seen from Perak to Pahang. It grows in montane forest from 1725m to 1890m on damp earth along forest trails and on slopes.

Begonia venusta (Peninsular Malaysia)
The picture shows the female flowers of this Begonia venusta. This species has produced many natural hybrids with Begonia decora. Hybrids can be recognized by comparing the leaf sizes.

:: Unknown Species ::

No.

Begonia sp

Descriptions

Culture

Begonia sp "Red vein" (Malaysia, Sarawak )
This beautiful begonia was discovered in the low altitude limestone hills of Sarawak. It grows in shaded forest floors and usually on slopes where the stems can be supported as it grows towards light. It's habitat is cool and windy.

Begonia sp "Red vein" (Malaysia, Sarawak )
This is probably a cane begonia and it grows together with the Begonia shown below, the "Sarawak spotted".

Begonia sp "Sarawak spotted" (Malaysia, Sarawak )
This species has to be grown in almost 80% humidity and with good air flow. It is a slow grower which makes it hard to propagate.

Begonia sp "Sarawak spotted" (Malaysia, Sarawak )
This is probably a cane begonia from limestone hill of Sarawak. Most begonia are endemic to certain places and destruction of habitats had caused extinction of some beautiful species.

Begonia sp (Malaysia, Sarawak )
This species was said to be from Sarawak, Malaysia.

Begonia sp (Malaysia, Pahang )
This species is from Pahang, Malaysia.

Begonia sp

Begonia sp (Malaysia)
This species was said to be from Sabah, Malaysia.

Begonia sp (Malaysia)
This species is found in Selangor, Malaysia.

Begonia sp (Malaysia)
This species is from Pahang, Malaysia.

Begonia penrissenensis (Malaysia, Sarawak )
This species is found in Kuching, Sarawak.

Begonia sp (Malaysia, Sarawak )
This species is found in Kuching, Sarawak.

Begonia Information

Five new Begonia species from Niah National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia
by Pearce, K. G.

Book: Gardens' Bulletin (Singapore), 2003 (Vol. 55) (No. 1) 73-88
Abstract: Five new Begonia species, Begonia kachak sp. nov., B. kasutensis sp. nov., B. niahensis sp. nov., B. stichochaete sp. nov. and B. subisensis sp. nov., were collected from limestone habitats in the Niah National Park. A key, descriptions and illustrations are provided.

Publisher: Singapore Botanic Gardens

Begonias and Beyond: A Voice For the Tropical Forests (Link)

A CONVERSATION WITH: RUTH KIEW;
Begonias and Beyond: A Voice For the Tropical Forests

By CLAUDIA DREIFUS
Published: June 4, 2002

Begonias of Peninsular Malaysia
by Dr Ruth Kiew

Book Title: Begonias of Peninsular Malaysia
Abstract: First and foremost, this book is written to interest the naturalist and gardener in the wealth of wild begonias that grow in rain forest but without sacrificing scientific accuracy. The profusion of photographs, watercolour paintings and botanical drawings, and the minimum use of technical jargon intend to make the book accessible to all. On the other hand, botanical rigour is maintained by provision of a key for identification, complete nomenclature and descriptions, and specimen lists. The book is comprehensive including all the 52 native species as well as two garden escapes. Twelve new species and one variety are described here for the first time .

Publisher: Natural History Publications (Borneo) in association with Singapore Botanic Gardens and National Parks Board
Published: 1 February 2005

Web Links

Begoniaceae

Note: The above chart is a general gauge of plant's cultural needs. Plant’s cultural needs may differ from environment to environment. Plant's cultural information is based on tropical climate.