The Rex section requires a light rich soil, plenty of moisture, and a shaded position in a warm greenhouse. These kinds are often employed with good effect for clothing peat-covered walls in ferneries, or as an undergrowth in large tropical houses. Large specimens have been grown under the stage in a warm house, the shade and moisture of such a position being exactly what they best delight in.
B. socotrana, an interesting species from the island of Socotra, is somewhat singular in its requirements. The stem is herbaceous and annual, and about its base a cluster of bulbils are formed, from every one of which a plant will be developed the following year. The growing season for this species is from September to March, after which it goes to rest for the whole summer. A tropical temperature and all the light possible, are essential to the well-doing of this plant.
It is interesting to note the apparent impossibility to cross any of the shrubby Begonias with the distinctly tuberous-rooted species; and even the species of the shrubby section, whose stems are semi-tuberous, have hitherto refused to commingle with the South American tuberous kinds, of which B. Veitchii, B. rosæflora, and B. boliviensis may be said to be typical. The infusion of the blood of these large, handsome-flowered kinds into the tall, shrubby species, would almost certainly result in the production of a race of splendid winter-flowering greenhouse plants, and it is therefore in every way desirable that no pains should be spared to break through the obstacle to the union of the two races.
Explanation of contractions: T, tuberous-rooted; S, shrubby.
B. acerifolia (Acer-leaved). S. A tall-growing, thick, succulent-stemmed species, with green, lobed, serrated foliage, and large branching cymes of small white flowers; sepals of male flowers hairy; styles three, two-horned. Capsule triangular, with one of the angles prolonged into an obtuse wing. Spring. Quito, 1829.
B. acuminata (taper-pointed-leaved). S. A low shrubby species, having semi-cordate, oblong, pointed leaves, with toothed margins, and the nerves on the under side and the petiole pilose. fl. white, in cymes, nearly 1in. across. Capsule wings, two short, the third ½in. long. Spring. Jamaica, 1798. (B. M. 4025.)
B. acutifolia (acute-leaved). S. A smooth-stemmed, semi-erect species, 3ft. to 4ft. high, with cordate-oblong leaves, both sides and petiole glabrous, the margins denticulate. fl. in cymes, white and red, about 1in. in diameter. Capsule winged, one wing twice as long as the others. Spring. Jamaica, 1816. SYN. B. purpurea.
B. acutiloba (acute-lobed).* A species with thick fleshy rhizomes, and palmate cordate leaves which are divided into five to seven lobes, with toothed margins and pointed apices, under side thinly covered with brown hairs. Flower-stalk tall, hairy, surmounted by a branching head of rather large white flowers. Summer. Mexico.
B. albo-coccinea (white and red).* Stemless, with a thick root-stock. l. broadly ovate, peltate, entire, 3in. to 4in. long; petiole 3in. to 6in., pubescent. Flower-scape 6in. to 9in. long. fl. in dense cluster, bright rose on the outside, white within. Capsule regularly triangular, with short wings. Summer. India, 1844. SYN. B. Grahamiana. (B. M. 4172.)
B. alchemilloides (Alchemilla-like). Stem fleshy, creeping. l. rotundate, with toothed, undulate, ciliated margins and short stalks. Flower-stem slender, few-flowered. fl. small, rose-coloured. Summer. Brazil.
B. amabilis (lovely).* Stem creeping, fleshy, short. l. ovate, crenulate, acuminate, about 6in. long, tomentose, dark green, blotched with white, under side purple-red. Flower-stalk 9in. long. fl. rose or white, in clustering cymes. Capsule irregular. Summer. Assam, 1859. The foliage sometimes comes wholly green, but, under good treatment, it is handsomely variegated.
B. amœna (pleasing).* Rhizome tuberous. Stem none, or very short. l. 3in. by 2in.; leafstalk 3in. Flower-stem 6in. long, few-flowered. fl. medium sized, pale rose. Capsule wings small, nearly equal. Summer. North India, 1878. SYN. B. erosa.
B. ampla (large). S. Stem 1ft. to 2ft. high, very stout, woody. l. long-stalked, 8in. to 10in. in diameter, broadly ovate, cordate, pointed, when young densely covered with rusty stellate down. fl. on short petioles, rose-coloured, 2in. wide. Fruit a succulent berry, small. Summer. Guinea.
B. aptera (wingless). Stem herbaceous. l. heart-shaped, pointed, shining green. fl. in short axillary cymes, white, small. Capsule four-angled. Spring. Celebes, 1878.
B. arborescens (tree-like). S. A large growing species, sometimes forming a bush 8ft. to 10ft. in height. l. pale green, ear-shaped, 6in. long. fl. in large cymose clusters, white, small. Summer. Brazil.
B. argyrostigma (silvery-spotted). Synonymous with B. maculata.
B. Arnottiana (Arnott's). Synonymous with B. cordifolia.
B. asplenifolia (Asplenium-leaved). S. A slender-stemmed, beautifully cut-leaved species, the foliage of which is pinnatisect, giving the plant the appearance of a Thalictrum rather than a Begonia. fl. very small, white. Guinea.
B. assamica (Assam). Stem short, fleshy. fl. pinkish flesh-colour. l. oblique ovate, olive-green, marbled with silvery blotches above, and of a pale purplish-pink beneath; petioles pale green, softly hairy. Assam, 1883.
B. attenuata (attenuated). Synonymous with B. herbacea.
B. aucubæfolia (Aucuba-leaved). Synonymous with B. incarnata.
B. auriformis (ear-formed). Synonymous with B. incana.
B. barbata (bearded). S. Stem short, hairy. l. toothed, oval-shaped, pointed, hispid beneath, 4in. long. fl. medium-sized, white or pink; flower-stalk hairy. Capsule equal-winged. Summer. India.
B. Berkeleyi (Berkeley's).* T. A garden hybrid, with thick, fleshy stems, and long ear-shaped foliage. fl. in erect panicles, rose-coloured. A useful winter-flowering kind.
B. bipetala (two-petaled). Synonymous with B. dipetala.
B. biserrata (doubly-serrated). S. Stem erect, branched, 2ft. to 3ft. high. l. 6in. long, 2in. to 3in. wide, deeply lobed, toothed, pale green. fl. in loose cymes, drooping, rose-coloured, 1½in. wide, serrated edges. Capsule pilose, two short and one long wings. Summer. Guatemala, 1847. (B. M. 4746.)
B. boliviensis (Bolivian).* T. Stem herbaceous, succulent, 2ft. high, branching. l. lanceolate, pointed, serrate, 3in. to 5in. long. fl. in drooping panicles, large, scarlet, males twice as large as females. Capsule three-winged. Summer. Bolivia, 1857. (B. M. 5657.)
B. Bowringiana (Bowring's). Synonymous with B. laciniata. (B. M. 5657.)
B. braziliana (Brazilian). S. Stem erect, tall, succulent. l. oblique, ovate, toothed, slightly pubescent; principal nerves brownish; stalk hairy. fl. white or rose, small, in short, few-flowered cymes. Capsule wing ½in. long. Summer. Brazil.
B. Bruantii (Bruant's).* B. A garden hybrid between B. Schmidti and B. semperflorens. l. green, with a brownish tint. fl. white or rose, in erect panicles. Summer, 1883. Used as a bedding plant in summer.
B. bulbifera (bulb-bearing). Most likely a form of B. gracilis.
B. caffra (Kaffrarian). A variety of B. Dregei.
B. carolineæfolia (Carolinea-leaved). S. Stem erect, thick, fleshy. l. palmate, curiously divided into six to eight long ovate segments, each 6in. long. fl. in a dichotomous cyme, on long stalk, rose-coloured, small. Capsule small, wings one longer than others. Winter. Mexico, 1876. A singular-leaved species. (R. G. 1-25.)
B. Cathcartii (Cathcart's). S. Caulescent. l. heart-shaped, acute, glabrous; stalks of flowers and leaves hairy; flowers and fruit as in B. barbata. Summer. India. SYN. B. nemophila. (C. H. P. 13.)
B. Chelsoni (Chelsea).* T. A garden hybrid between B. Sedeni and B. boliviensis. Stem fleshy, 2ft. high. l. oblique, lance-shaped, irregularly lobed. fl. large, orange-red, drooping. Summer, 1874.
B. cinnabarina (vermilion).* S. Stem erect, short, herbaceous. l. 2in. to 4in. long, oblique, toothed; peduncles 6in. long, few-flowered. fl. (male), medium, red; female flowers very small. Summer. Capsule irregularly-winged. Bolivia, 1848. (B. M. 4483.)
B. cinnabarina (vermilion). A variety of B. fuchsioides.
B. Clarkii (Clarke's).* T. Stem purplish, fleshy, stout. l. oblique-cordate, serrate. fl. in pendulous racemes, abundant, large, bright red, very handsome, nearly related to B. Veitchii. Summer. Peru and Bolivia, 1867. (B. M. 5675.)
B. coccinea (red).* S. Habit suffruticose. Stem sub-erect, 1ft. to 2ft. high, thick at the base. l. ovate-oblong, pointed; margins undulate and toothed. fl. in pendulous racemes, medium-sized; flowers and peduncles red. Capsule nearly regular; wings short. Summer. Brazil, 1842. (B. M. 3990.)
B. conchæfolia (shell-leaved). Stem creeping, rhizomatous, thick. l. peltate, ovate, 3in. to 5in. long, edges almost entire; under side, along with leaf and flower-stalks, covered with ferruginous hairs; scape 9in. long, erect, surmounted by corymb of small whitish fragrant flowers. Capsule wings, one long, two short. Autumn and winter. South America, 1852. SYNS. B. scutellata, B. Warscewiczii. (R. B. 246.)
B. corallina (coral-flowered). S. Stem woody, branching, sub-erect, brownish when matured. l. ovate-oblong, pointed, undulate, smooth, dull green, under side purple. fl. in long pendent racemes, numerous, medium-sized, bright coral-red. Summer. Brazil (?), 1875. A rare species, and one of the handsomest of the shrubby kinds, most likely closely related to B. maculata.
B. cordifolia (heart-shaped). T. Stemless; root-stock fleshy. l. cordate, orbicular, toothed, 3in. wide, pilose above, pubescent below; flower-scape 6in. long, dichotomous. fl. numerous, medium-sized. Capsule with three narrow wings. Winter. Ceylon and India. SYN. B. Arnottiana.
B. coriacea (leathery).* T. Stem 6in. high, herbaceous. l. reniform, 5in. wide by 3in. long, smooth above, pilose below. fl. rose-coloured, large, in twos or threes on the end of an erect scape, 8in. to 10in. long. Wings of capsule short, red. Summer. Bolivia.
B. coriacea (leathery). Synonymous with B. peltata.
B. crassicaulis (thick-stemmed). Stem short, thick, articulated, succulent. l. palmate; segments acuminate, toothed, under side clothed with rusty down. fl. in many-flowered cymes, dipetalous, white or rose-coloured, medium-sized. Capsule wings unequal. Near to B. heracleifolia. Spring. Guatemala, 1841. (B. R. 28, 44.)
B. crinita (hairy).* S. Stem 1ft. high, fleshy, bright red, more or less hairy. l. ovate-cordate; margins toothed, dark green; petiole red and hairy, like the stems. fl. in lax, branching cymes, rose-coloured, 1½in. in diameter. Fruit three-winged, one long and acute, two short and rounded. Spring. Bolivia, 1870. (B. M. 5897.)
B. cucullata (hooded). A variety of B. semperflorens.
B. dædalea (adorned).* Stem short, thick, succulent. l. large, green, thickly covered with a close network of russet-brown, scarlet when young; edges pilose. fl. white and rose, in loose panicles. Mexico, 1860. A handsome foliaged plant. (I. H. 1861, 269.)
B. Daveauana. See Pellionia Daveauana.
B. Davisii (Davis's).* T. stemless, l. springing directly from root-stock, ovate-cordate, shining green, slightly hairy, underside red; petiole short, fleshy. Flower-scapes, pedicels, and flowers bright red; scape 4in. high, bearing half a dozen flowers in umbel. Capsule three-winged, one long, two very short. Summer. Peru, 1876. A handsome tuberous-rooted species, dwarf. See Fig. 228, for which we are indebted to Messrs. Veitch and Sons. (B. M. 6252.)
B. dichotoma (branching). S. Stem tall, stout, fleshy. l. 5in. long by 4in. wide, lobed, dull green. fl. white, on long axillary scapes, numerous. Winter. 1860.
B. Digswelliana (Digswell's). Stem short, semi-decumbent, large, green; margins red. fl. on long, erect scapes, pale pink, small, numerous. Useful for winter flowering purposes. A garden hybrid. (F. M. 236.)
B. dipetala (two-petaled). Stems springing from a fleshy root-stock, erect, 18in. high, brown. l. half heart-shaped; margins toothed, upper surface thickly spotted with white, under side red. fl. in loose axillary cymes, two-petaled, large, pink. Capsule equal-winged. Spring. India, 1828. A handsome species. (B. M. 2849.) SYN. B. bipetala.
B. discolor (two-coloured). Synonymous with B. Evansiana.
B. diversifolia (diverse-leaved). A variety of B. gracilis.
B. Dregii (Drege's).* Rootstock fleshy. Stems succulent; annual, 1ft. high. l. oblique, thin, green, slightly spotted with grey, reddish on the under side. fl. white, about 1in. across, in axillary cymes. Capsule three-winged, one much longer than the other two, and acute-pointed. Summer. Cape, 1840. SYNS. B. caffra, B. reniformis.
B. echinosepala (spiny-sepaled).* Stem green, succulent, 18in. high. l. small, obliquely-oblong, serrulate. fl. on axillary peduncles, white, with curiously papillose sepals. Summer. Brazil, 1872. (R. G. 707.)
B. elliptica (elliptic). Synonymous with B. scandens.
B. erecta multiflora (erect, many-flowered). fl. bright reddish-pink, produced for several months, but especially during the winter. l. oblique, deep bronze coloured, very conspicuous. A decidedly handsome and very useful garden variety.
B. erosa (bitten). Synonymous with B. amœna.
B. Evansiana (Evans's).* T. Stem herbaceous, branching, smooth, 2ft. high. l. oblique, ovate-acute, sub-cordate, lobed; margins denticulate, green above, under side and petioles deep red; flower-stalks branching, axillary. fl. numerous, flesh-coloured, large. Capsule wings blunt-pointed, one longer than the others. Summer. Java, China, Japan, 1812. A handsome species, and almost hardy. SYNS. B. discolor, B. grandis. (B. M. 1473.)
B. eximia (excellent).* A hybrid, raised from B. rubro-venia and B. Thwaitesii. Stem short, succulent. l. bronzy-purple, tinged with red. A handsome foliage plant. (I. H. 1860, 233.)
B. falcifolia (sickle-leaved).* S. Stem 1ft. to 2ft. high, erect, branching. l. 6in. long, 1½in. wide, curved, tapering to a narrow point; margins toothed, upper surface green, more or less spotted with white, under side deep red. fl. on short axillary peduncles, drooping, dipetalous, bright red. Wings of capsule equal, ½in. wide. Summer. Peru, 1868. A pretty flowering plant. (B. M. 5707.)
FIG. 228. BEGONIA DAVISII.
B. ferruginea (rust-coloured). S. Stem woody, erect, smooth branching, covered with ferruginous hairs. l. oblique, ovate-acute, acuminate, lobed; margins toothed. fl. in branching cymes, large red. Capsule unequal-winged. Summer. Bogota. SYN. B. magnifica.
B. Fischeri (Fischer's). Similar to B. falcifolia, except that the foliage is unspotted, and the flowers are white and small. Brazil, 1835. (B. M. 3532.)
B. foliosa (leafy).* S. Stem slender, branching, fleshy. l. small, ovate-oblong, dark green, numerous, distichous on stems. fl. small, numerous, white, tinged with pink. Summer. New Grenada, 1868. Useful for growing hanging baskets. SYN. B. microphylla. (Ref. B. 222.)
B. frigida (frigid). S. Stem 1ft. high, smooth, green, succulent. l. cordate, acuminate, lobed, serrated, slightly pilose; upper side coppery-green, beneath deep rose-red, especially upon the veins. fl. small, white, in erect branching cymes. Capsule wings two long, one short. Summer. Country unknown, 1860. (B. M. 5160.)
B. Frœbeli (Frœbel's).* T. Stemless. l. numerous, cordate, acuminate, green, covered with purplish-velvety hairs. fl. in tall, lax, drooping, branching cymes, brilliant scarlet, large. Winter. Ecuador, 1872. A beautiful flowering plant, useful for conservatory work in winter. (Garden, pl. 96.)
B. fuchsioides (Fuchsia-like).* S. Stem tall, drooping, herbaceous, smooth, green, tinged with red. l. copious, distichous, 1½in. long, oblong-ovate, slightly falcate, serrated, smooth; margins tinged with red. fl. in branching pendulous panicles, numerous, rich, deep scarlet. Capsule wings two very short and one long. Summer. New Grenada, 1846. A handsome greenhouse plant, useful for covering pillars, &c. SYN. B. miniata. (B. M. 4281.)
B. f. miniata (vermilion). l. smaller than in type. fl. cinnabar red. (F. d. S. 8, 787.)
B. gemmipara (bud-bearing). S. Stem 1ft. high, from a tuberous root-stock, succulent, l. ovate-acuminate, cordate, lobed, smooth above, pilose below. fl. medium-sized, white, or with rose stripes, on pendulous, axillary peduncles; sometimes the peduncles bear, instead of flowers, quadrangular cups, which are closely packed with oblong viviparous bulbils. Summer. Himalaya. (C. H. P. 14.)
B. geranifolia (Geranium-leaved).* Rootstock tuberous. Stem 1ft. high, erect, angular, succulent, green, with a purplish tinge, branched dichotomously. l. cordate, cut into unequal serrated lobes, green; margins red, whole plant perfectly smooth; peduncles terminal, bearing two to three flowers, which are inclined, drooping while in bud; outer petals orbicular, red, the two inner obovate, waved white. Summer. Lima, 1833. (B. M. 3387.)
B. geranioides (Geranium-like).* T. Rootstock fleshy. Stemless. l. radical, somewhat reniform, lobed, serrated; surface scabrid, deep green; leafstalks red, hairy. fl. white, in lax, drooping panicle. Summer. Natal, 1866. A pretty, though delicate, species. (B. M. 5583.)
B. glandulosa (glandular-leaved).* Stem a stout rhizome, scaly. Leafstalks thick, terete, erect, hairy, 9in. high. l. 6in. broad, fleshy, cordate, lobed, green; veins dark. fl. on tall, dark, erect scapes, numerous, greenish-white. Capsule wings, one very large, blunt. Costa Rica, 1854. SYNS. B. hernandiæfolia, B. nigro-venia. (B. M. 5256.)
FIG. 229. BEGONIA HERACLEIFOLIA.