Begonia foliosa var. miniata
Common names
Fuchsia begonia
Biostatus
Exotic
Conservation status
Not applicable
Category
Vascular
Structural class
Herbs - Dicotyledons other than Composites
Simplified description
Erect sub-shrub with slender stems to 50 cm. Leaves oblong-ovate to sickle-shaped, toothed, shiny, mid-green. Flowers monoecious, arranged in a pendulous cyme.
Flower colours
Red/Pink
Habitat
Lowland forest. One known location in NZ native forest - Bushy Park near Whanganui. This site was intact indigenous forest, remote from any planted exotic plants. The means by which this Begonia reached the site is unknown. Gardeners usually propagate this Begonia by cuttings but some authorities state it can be grown from seed, e.g. https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/2009/Begonia-foliosa-var-miniata/Details
Detailed taxonomy
Genus
Family
Synonyms
Begonia fuchsioides
Begonia foliosa var. miniata is “… probably a hybrid or a selection of Begonia fuchsioides as the species actually has bright red flowers.” http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=2202
Ecology
Year naturalised
2010
Origin
The species is from Colombia and Venezuela
Reason for introduction
Ornamental
Other information
Etymology
begonia: Named after Micheal Begon (1638-1710), 18th century governor of French Canada and amateur botanist.
foliosa: Leafy