Begonia reniformis Dryand.
Thick-stemmed begonia with large, grape-vine-shaped, lobed, green leaves with short hairs and small white flowers from winter to spring. To 1m or more. [RHSD, Krempin].
Horticultural & Botanical History
According to Krempin introduced to Britain in 1791, although later dates are given by Paxton’s Dictionary for both B. longipes, 1828, and B. reniformis, 1818. The Floricultural Cabinet describes its origins as Mexico and gives synonyms of B. macrophylla and B. odorata, suggesting several introductions under different names. [FC p.269/1846]. ‘[Begonia. longipes] is an inhabitant of Mexico, and was introduced lately to this country by the Rev. J. Huntley of Kimbolton, who communicated it to the Liverpool Botanic Garden. […] It flowered in the stove in the month of April, 1830.’ [BM t.3001/1830]. ‘[Begonia reniformis] is a good deal allied to the B. longipes of this work, t.3061, especially in the general structure of the inflorescence; but in that species, the flowers are considerably larger, the leaves are much more oblique, and extremely glossy, and quite glabrous above.’ [BM t.3225/1833].
History at Camden Park
Listed in the 1850 and 1857 catalogues [H.20/1850].
Notes
Published Jun 20, 2009 - 02:40 PM | Last updated Jul 14, 2010 - 04:56 PM
Begonia reniformis Dryand. | BM t.3225/1833 | BHL
| Family | Begoniaceae |
|---|---|
| Category | |
| Region of origin | South America |
| Synonyms |
|
| Common Name | Grape-leaf begonia |
| Name in the Camden Park Record | Begonia longipes |
| Confidence level | high |
