Begonia

Scientific name: Begonia spp. (includes over 1,800 species)

 

Plant characteristics:

 

It is a genus that includes herbaceous, shrubby and climbing plants, both annual and perennial.

The leaves are very different from each other, depending on the species, and can be of various shapes, colors and sizes.

The flowers are unisexual, with male and female flowers on the same plant, and can be single or grouped in inflorescences.

The colors of the flowers are very varied, from white to pink, red, orange and yellow.

Begonias are divided into categories based on the root system, and we find: tuberous begonias, rhizomatous begonias and fasciculate begonias.

 

Plant properties:

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Begonias are mainly ornamental plants, used to decorate gardens, balconies and interiors.

Some species of begonia have medicinal properties, used in traditional medicine to treat various pathologies.

 

Fun facts about the plant:

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The genus name is dedicated to Michel Bégon, a 17th-century French botanist.

Begonias are native to the tropical and subtropical regions of America, Africa and Asia.

There are many varieties of begonias, hybrids obtained through the crossing of different species.

In the language of flowers, begonia symbolizes gratitude and hospitality.

Begonia is a plant that prefers temperate and humid climates, and does not tolerate frost.

Some begonias are used in cooking, the leaves of some species are edible.