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If you happen to may take a leisurely stroll throughout all the nations close to the equator, in all of the tropical and subtropical areas, you is perhaps fortunate sufficient to witness the two,000 or so begonia species in existence rising of their native habitats within the wild.
From misty oceansides to high-elevation forests, they arrive from a various vary of climates.
It might be an thrilling journey to examine all of them out. The one downside is that you just most likely wouldn’t be capable of inform what sort you have been from one to the subsequent…
![A close up horizontal image of colorful begonia foliage on plants growing in pots indoors.](https://gardenerspath.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Begonia-Classification-Feature.jpg)
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Okay, so that you most likely gained’t go on a world-round wander anytime quickly, however even when you’re simply buying at your native nursery, it may possibly nonetheless be subsequent to unimaginable to establish the varied begonias on the market when you aren’t some form of professional.
Heck, even the specialists battle.
Is that this a type of wax hybrids with massive blossoms? Or is that this the sort that doesn’t flower nicely however has attractive foliage? Possibly it’s each?
We’re going that can assist you determine the best way to establish begonias primarily based on a number of key traits.
After analyzing the foliage and stems, you’ll be capable of confidently slender down what you’re , no professional data required.
Right here’s what we’ll focus on to assist make that occur:
Whereas the traits of the flowers and leaves are the obvious issues we are able to take a look at on a plant, the stems and roots can provide us an excellent higher concept of the species of begonia.
We will use all 4 components to make an informed guess in regards to the identification of a selected plant.
Although they differ wildly in look, all begonias have alternate leaves with stipules, that are tiny buildings that develop on the base of a leafstalk.
![A close up horizontal image of the stipules on a cane-like plant.](https://gardenerspath.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Stipules-on-a-Begonia-Plant.jpg)
All of them have separate feminine and male flowers, plus another qualities that solely botanists will actually care about, like inferior ovaries and centripetal stamen initiation.
Mostly cultivated varieties have asymmetrical leaves, fleshy stems, and pretty distinguished flowers. However there are exceptions. B. bogneri seems extra like grass, for instance, and also you won’t even discover the flowers.
Don’t fear, you don’t need to memorize all this! The vital factor is to find a way to try the leaves, stems, and flowers, plus the roots, when you can.
Begonias are literally categorized by the American Begonia Society by the sort of roots they’ve: fibrous, tuberous, or rhizomatous. After all, every kind have some fibrous roots, however this class refers to people who solely have fibrous roots.
Let’s discuss that group first. Then, we’ll speak in regards to the completely different leaves you would possibly come throughout and the best way to categorize them.
Fibrous Rooted
Fibrous-rooted begonias have purely fibrous roots with none tuberous or rhizomatous roots.
However you don’t have to dig up the plant and study the roots to find out if that’s what you’re . There are different clues.
Have a look at the stems and leaves for a touch.
In case your plant has stems that look sort of like bamboo, that means they’re straight, have lengthy internodes, and have little bumps the place the leaves emerge from, you could have a cane-like sort.
Cane-Like
Cane-like begonias have change into far more standard lately. I feel that needs to be as a result of they’re easygoing, and plenty of have eye-catching foliage.
Clearly, this group stands aside due to its cane-like stems that give it some resemblance to bamboo. Past the cane-like stems, you may look to the leaves to assist outline this group.
![A horizontal image of the stems of a cane-like begonia plant pictured on a soft focus background.](https://gardenerspath.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Begonia-Canes.jpg)
A lot of the cane-like sorts on the industrial market have some quantity of silver recognizing on the highest floor and purple on the underside, with most having some purple on the higher aspect of the leaves as nicely.
The leaves emerge from a swollen node on the stem, one other attribute that lends to the bamboo-like resemblance.
For instance, angel-wing begonias just like the wildly standard B. maculata, with its lengthy leaves speckled in shiny silver dots, are on this group.
If you happen to see the attribute angel-wing leaf form, it’s most likely within the cane-like group, although many rex sorts have this as nicely.
![A horizontal image of wing-shaped leaves with variegated coloring and white spots pictured on a soft focus background.](https://gardenerspath.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Wing-Shaped-Begonia-Leaves.jpg)
Inside this group, there are three sorts: ‘Lenore Olivier,’ mallet, and Superba. There are round 80 species and 1000’s of cultivars within the cane-like group.
Most of them are grown for the foliage, however some have massive cascading clusters of pink, pink, white, or orange blossoms.
All Superba sorts have lobed or cleft leaves, silver markings, and purple coloration. These of the mallet sort are maroon or darkish pinkish-red, and people of ‘Lenore Olivier’ are smooth-edged and stable inexperienced.
If you happen to’re out there for one in every of these, you may convey dwelling a phenomenal B. maculata plant with its polka-dot foliage in silver, inexperienced, and pink from Costa Farms.
B. maculata
It’s obtainable through Amazon as a 14-inch-tall plant in an ornamental pot.
Semperflorens
Traditionally, this has been the most well-liked group. Also referred to as wax begonias, these might be recognized by their thick, succulent, waxy leaves.
The foliage is normally inexperienced or bronze, however some cultivars are variegated and even have white younger leaves.
![A close up horizontal image of pink flowers on potted plants at a nursery.](https://gardenerspath.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Pink-Begonia-Flowers.jpg)
Gardeners love these as a result of they bloom nonstop in brilliant pink, white, and pink. Plus, they’re comparatively drought-tolerant, and seed propagates readily.
Most that you just’ll come throughout at shops are hybrids, and B. cucullata is normally one of many mother or father species.
The deep bronze leaves of ‘Viking XL’ are sufficient to suggest it, however the vibrant, inch-wide, pink flowers steal the present.
![A close up of a 'Viking XL' with bright red flowers and deep burgundy foliage growing in a clay pot outdoors.](https://gardenerspath.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Viking-XL-Begonia.jpg)
‘Viking XL’
It’s a spread that’s additionally disease-resistant, and maintains its compact form with out changing into leggy.
Nab a four-plant bundle at Burpee.
Shrub
A number of stems rising out of the bottom level to the shrub group.
It’s slightly exhausting to outline this group simply by the foliage. The leaves might be {smooth} and glossy, or bushy and velvety. So, take a look at the stems first.
![A close up horizontal image of the brownish-green textured foliage of a Begonia metallica plant.](https://gardenerspath.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Begonia-Metallica-Foliage-Close-Up.jpg)
There ought to be numerous them, fairly than a single or small variety of stems. These stems must also have numerous branches.
As a result of the foliage is so numerous, this group is subdivided by leaf sort. These teams are:
- Naked
- Distinctive
- Furry
- Miniature
Naked sorts are hairless (glabrous). Furry, after all, have wonderful hairs on both or either side. Miniatures have tiny leaves on correspondingly small crops.
Distinctive is sort of a catch-all group for the crops which have uncommon or uniquely attention-grabbing leaves, like closely lobed, palmate shapes.
The shrub group is primarily grown for the foliar show, however some have fairly, long-lasting flowers, normally in white however generally pink or pink.
Study the expansion of B. metallica, as pictured above, to get a good suggestion of what they seem like.
Thick-Stemmed
This group is recognized by, after all, the thick stems, but additionally the leaf development.
Because the stems age, all of the decrease leaves drop off, leaving simply these on the tip of the stems. The foliage can seem like that of these in some other group.
![A vertical image of a potted houseplant set near a window indoors.](https://gardenerspath.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Potted-Begonia-Houseplant.jpg)
Leaves might be waxy, bushy, velvety, or {smooth}, and smooth-edged, toothed, or lobed. They are often inexperienced, bronze, pink, or purple, and may need silvery markings.
Frequent hybrid cultivars and species embody B. ‘Bangles,’ B. egregia, B. ludwigii, B. rigida, B. ‘Rudy,’ B. venosa and B. vitifolia.
These are a number of the most tough sorts to develop as a result of they’re choosy about their situations, so that you don’t see a whole lot of them.
When you can pinch them to encourage branching, they sometimes solely produce one or two stems with no branches, which makes them much less visually interesting to some growers. That’s one more reason why they aren’t widespread.
Trailing-Scandent
As you’ll have gathered, this group is outlined by its trailing, arching development behavior.
Some might be educated as climbers and a few will path over a wall or pot. Many have stunning flowers, although others are grown for his or her foliage alone.
![A close up horizontal image of a Begonia glabra plant in full bloom growing wild.](https://gardenerspath.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Begonia-Glabra.jpg)
The leaves are sometimes spherical, heart-shaped, or oval, with {smooth} or toothed margins.
The floor might be {smooth} or bushy, and it may need raised areas. Most have comparatively small leaves. The flowers are normally pink or pink.
B. convolvulacea, B. glabra, B. molleri, B. radicans, B. solananthera, B. thelmae, and their hybrids are the commonest sorts.
Rhizomatous
If you happen to have been to dig down slightly below the soil floor and do some exploring, you’d discover succulent, horizontal roots for all the begonias on this group.
These rhizomes are literally an extension of the stems of the plant rising underground.
Rex-Cultorum
That is, by far, the commonest sort of rhizomatous begonia. These might be recognized by trying on the foliage.
It’s colourful with inexperienced, purple, pink, silver, or any mixture of those. They will even have reflective silver markings.
![A close up horizontal image of a rex begonia (aka painted leaf) growing in a large pot pictured on a dark background.](https://gardenerspath.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Painted-Rex-Begonia.jpg)
This kind might be confused with cane-like begonias, and the one approach to make sure is to have a look at the roots.
Most of those are cultivars of B. rex, of which there are over 4,000, however there are many hybrids, too. These are grown for his or her foliage and never a lot for the blooms, that are small and lack coloration in comparison with many others.
Find out about rising rex begonias in our information.
Upright Jointed
The crops on this subgroup is perhaps mistaken for cane-like sorts at first look. Past the completely different roots, these crops are likely to department out greater than the cane-like sorts.
![A close up horizontal image of the shiny green spotted foliage of a Begonia diadema.](https://gardenerspath.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Begonia-Diadema-Foliage-Detail.jpg)
Have a look at B. diadema for a great instance.
Tuberous
Tuberous begonias type massive tubers as a storage mechanism to get them via the dry season. These are sometimes grown for the big flowers.
![A close up horizontal image of the colorful flowers of tuberous begonia plants growing in pots.](https://gardenerspath.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Colorful-Tuberous-Begonias.jpg)
Now, don’t confuse ”tuberous begonias” (B. x tuberhybrida) with people who have tuberous roots.
Tuberous begonia is the widespread title for tuberous hybrids, however there are numerous species which have tuberous roots as nicely.
The × tuberhybrida members of this group have the most important blossoms of all begonias, in addition to the largest vary of flower colours and patterns.
They’re a number of the hottest sorts, and you may learn all about them in our information to rising tuberous begonias.
The foliage is often massive and spherical. The leaves are darkish to medium inexperienced on the higher floor and lighter inexperienced on the underside, with or with out pink veins.
After all, there are variations, with some with toothed or lobed margins, however that’s the commonest.
Augustia
There are 12 species from tropical East Africa on this group, all with tuberous roots.
![A vertical image of the green and white spotted foliage of a Begonia dregei pictured on a soft focus background.](https://gardenerspath.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Begonia-Dregei-Foliage.jpg)
B. dregei and B. sutherlandii are the commonest in cultivation.
B. dregei has inexperienced foliage with some quantity of pink or purple, and crops may need white or silver spots. B. sutherlandii options pale inexperienced foliage with pink or red-tinged veins or edges.
Bolivian
B. boliviensis, generally known as Bolivian begonia, has leaves with a darkish inexperienced floor and paler inexperienced undersides, each with wonderful hairs.
They are often lanceolate to ovate and are all the time asymmetrical. Some have a toothed margin.
![A close up horizontal image of the bright red flowers of a 'Bonfire' begonia growing in a hanging basket.](https://gardenerspath.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Begonia-Bonfire-in-a-Hanging-Basket.jpg)
These crops have a pendulous development behavior and vibrant pink flowers.
Elatior
Also referred to as Cheimantha, Hiemalis, or Reiger, this subgroup is made up of tuberous hybrids, and it’s sort of a catch-all for people who don’t slot in different teams.
Many have B. dregei, B. grandis, B. x semperflorens, or B. socotrana of their lineage.
![A close up horizontal image of reddish pink begonia flowers pictured on a soft focus background.](https://gardenerspath.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Begonia-Flowers.jpg)
Many are winter flowering and have plenty of pink, salmon, or pink blossoms. You’ll usually discover them bought as vacation, Christmas, or yuletide begonias.
Figuring out Begonias by Their Leaves
You completely can’t establish a begonia by the leaves alone. There are simply too many species with similar-looking leaves. However they’re a great place to begin your investigation.
Notice probably the most defining attribute of the foliage and go from there.
Waxy Texture
Vegetation with thick, waxy leaves are normally wax sorts. It’s proper there within the title, in spite of everything.
Much less generally, they will also be rhizomatous species or cultivars, or thick-stemmed fibrous sorts. Assume it’s a wax begonia except there’s another indication that hints in any other case.
Silvery Spots, Stripes, or Marks
These with silvery markings are normally both fibrous cane-like or thick-stemmed sorts, or rhizomatous rex.
![A close up horizontal image of the unusual coloring and pattern of a rex begonia escargot.](https://gardenerspath.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Rex-Begonia-Escargot.jpg)
Tuberous augustia sorts also can have these markings.
Angel Wing Form
Some have leaves that seem like the angel wings depicted in traditional work by Michelangelo Caravaggio, Raphael, Vernet, and Thayer.
![A close up vertical image of an angel-wing begonia with spotted leaves growing outdoors in a pot.](https://gardenerspath.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Angel-Wing-Begonia.jpg)
The leaves sometimes seem singly, so you must think about that the poor angel misplaced one wing someplace alongside the best way.
If yours has this leaf form and it’s hooked up to a cane-like stem, you might be certain you could have a rhizomatous, cane-like sort.
Many are hybrids or cultivars of B. aconitifolia, B. coccinea, B. listadaand, or B. maculata, to call a number of.
Fern-Like Leaves
There are a number of sorts on the market that look a bit like ferns. Fern begonia (B. bipinnatifida) is, by far, the commonest.
![A horizontal image of the pink flowers and unusual foliage of a fernleaf begonia pictured on a soft focus background.](https://gardenerspath.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Fernleaf-Begonia.jpg)
Given its adoration for decent, humid environments, it has gained a stellar status as a terrarium plant.
This rhizomatous sort has fleshy inexperienced and maroon leaves.
Strappy Leaves
Not all begonias have vast leaves. Some are slender and strappy, resembling these of lilies and even grass.
B. herbacea and B. lanceolata are rhizomatous, and infrequently confused with each other, whereas B. komoensis and B. bogneri have tubers.
Peltate Leaves
Some begonias have leaves that seem like little umbrellas, with the petiole hooked up to the underside of the leaf someplace close to the center.
![A close up horizontal image of bright red peltate foliage against a soft focus background pictured in bright sunshine.](https://gardenerspath.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Peltate-Leaves-on-a-Begonia.jpg)
These embody the rhizomatous B. leprosae, with its hairless, asymmetrical inexperienced leaves and small flowers, in addition to B. sudjanae with its gentle inexperienced, bushy asymmetrical foliage.
Palmate Leaves
If the leaves of the plant seem like the palm of a hand with an odd variety of finger-like leaflets, it’s most likely fibrous B. aconitifolia, tuberous B. dregei, fibrous B. luxurians, rhizomatous B. palmata, or one of many many rex hybrids.
So Many Begonias, So Little Time
Alright, so even probably the most skilled begonia grower struggles every now and then to determine what they’re , however hopefully, you are feeling a bit higher geared up to get on the market and establish away.
![A close up horizontal image of colorful begonia foliage on plants growing in pots indoors.](https://gardenerspath.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Begonia-Classification-Feature.jpg)
So long as you may take a look at the roots, stems, and leaves, you’re armed with the instruments it’s essential to do some sleuthing.
What do the leaves and stems of your plant seem like? Are you having bother narrowing it down? Tell us within the feedback and share some photos with us, and perhaps we can assist!
Then, proceed in your begonia journey by trying out a number of of our different guides subsequent:
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