Species
B. lobulata
See B. sartorii
Photos
4 photos
Identity
- Genus
- Begonia
- Name
- B. lobulata
- Author
- A. de Candolle, Prodr.
- Publication Date
- 1864
- Section
- Gireoudia
- Synonyms and Comments
- B. sartorii Liebmann. 1853;
- Reference
- Prodr. 15(1):339. 1864. —L.B. Smith & B.G. Schubert, Fieldiana: Bot. 24:181. 1961; JGSL9/08; The Begonian, Aug 1976;
- Article References
- The Begonian, July 1946, p 135-6;
- Photo References
- The Begonian, Aug 1976; The Begonian, Jul 1946; Exotica - Pictorial Encyclopedia of Indoor plants;
Plant
- Description
- Begonia lobulata (SYN B. Sartorii) By ALICE M. CLARK, San Diego. California This begonia is a great favorite in California where it is generally known as B. vitifolia. Plants raised from seed collected in Chiapas, Mexico. in 1935. by T. MacDougall were identified by the New York Botanical Garden as the species, lobulata. In Mrs. Buxton's new edition of BEGONIAS, it is described under that name. She also mentions species from Brazil and Mexico, both called vitifolia. The South American has white flowers and the other has tight buds of pale pink, both unlike my sketch. Curtis' Botanical Magazine shows B. reniformis. much like our Dichotoma, which Bailey seems to think is vitifolia. Chevalier does not list lobulata but describes a vitifolia. Schott. with velvety green leaves and flowers of four petals. Which is definitely unlike the plant we are discussing. Mrs. Buxton says an entirely different B. vitifolia is set forth by Lindley, but does not mention in what respect it diverges, so it may correspond to this month's selection. These begonias all have points of similarity so it is easy to see how the wrong name could have been selected. Only ten years have elapsed since B. lobulata has been in circulation so it should not be difficult to learn to use the correct designation. The main stalks of lobulata are erect with several stems from the ground but seldom more than one branch. The new shoots are green with the nodes about 3 inches apart at the base, closer at the tip. There are such definite circles at the intersections that one is reminded of bamboo. Clear white pores are scattered all over the surface but most noticeable near the top. There they look like white threads stitching the sections together. The leaf emerges from two of the firmest stipules I have ever noticed among begonias. The green keels feel as though reinforced with whalebone. When dried they make not unattractive light-brown, papery curls, which soon fall off. When the young leaf begins to unfold it is as carefully pleated as if put up by an expert parachute packer. The back side of the leaf glistens with white hairs which soon turn a brownish red, they are even more conspicuous feathering the red edge of the top leaf margin. A red fuzz dulls the 4-inch green petiole supporting the leaf of lobulata. A bright. smooth surface. somewhat puckered between the veins, catches many highlights. The veins are depressed, green, with some red dashes at intersections and red accents at the sinus: On the reverse side, the veins are pale and raised. The whole lower part is covered by a fine red wool that becomes almost a red flush as the leaf grows older. The leaves are alternate on the stem and curved to an indented over-lapping center on the side. There are 4 to 5 irregular shallow lobes, some more pointed than others. The largest leaf of my sketch is 4 x 5 inches. It tends to assume a horizontal position. This plant is 20 inches high, but it may be taller. As is usual with some varieties of begonias, the foliage of lobulata is not as plentiful when it is blooming. The sketch was made in May, almost at the end of its flowering season, and now, in June, new leaves are beginning to break out at each bare node so it will be more completely clothed in summer. The flowers are supported on 4-inch red peduncles that are much branched, in short sections, giving the full flower cluster a round head. quite different from most begonias. The male bloom is small, less than ½ inch. It is composed of 2 pale pink petals, oval in shape. with a full golden stamen center. These soon fall, leaving the female blossoms. They have 2, sometimes a tiny third petal. Also blush pink, and 3 pairs of simple untwisted stigma. The ovary is small and thick but one large rounded wing extends the size to ½ inch. As the seed-pods grow they turn from light pink to green, recalling the same habit in a round hydrangea cluster. The seed seems to develop well so it should be good for hybridizing. The attractive, shining green leaves of Lobulata resemble B. odorata alba in color but not in pattern. It makes a good companion plant for the latter as the distinctive globular flower heads bloom much earlier. If you want a new but hardy begonia. try this interesting, easy-to-care-for Mexican species.
Lineage
Parents
No parentage recorded.
B. sartorii Liebmann. 1853;
Descendants
No recorded descendants.
Culture
No populated fields in this section.