Begonia stipulacea Willd.
Frost-tender, tall-growing cane-type begonia with slender, weak, angular stems, oval, sharp-pointed leaves, bright green above and paler beneath, and freely produced cymes of white flowers throughout the year. To 60cm. [RHSD, Hortus, Krempin, BM t.7842/1902]. There is variation in the descriptions given by the authors noted which is a reflection of the variability of the species.
Horticultural & Botanical History
‘Stems strong, from 3-4 feet in height, channelled, of a dull crimson colour when young, and marked with a few pale green streaks. Leaves oblique, about 6 inches in length, bright green on the surface, beautifully marked with dark green shades underside; smooth and shining. Flowers pink, in clusters, suspended by rather short footstalks.’ The synonym B. undulata is given and it may be a different plant. [FC p.272/1846]. Begonia stipulacea was introduced in 1820 according to Krempin, and B. zebrina in 1845 according to Paxton’s Dictionary. Both Paxton’s and Johnson’s Dictionary describe a pink-flowered plant, which is probably that described in the Floricultural Cabinet. Curtis’s Botanical Magazine also gives a date of 1845 for the introduction of Begonia zebrina, and figures a plant consistent with B. stipulacea of other authors, except that this Kew specimen was 8 feet tall. [BM t.7842/1902].
History at Camden Park
Listed in the 1850 and 1857 catalogues [H.25/1850].
Notes
Published Jun 20, 2009 - 04:48 PM | Last updated Jul 14, 2010 - 04:54 PM
Family | Begoniaceae |
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Category | |
Region of origin | Brazil |
Synonyms |
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Common Name | Velvet begonia |
Name in the Camden Park Record | Begonia zebrina |
Confidence level | high |