B. rex

Culture

Cultural Requirements

Cool growing conditions, moist environment

Original Botanical Description or Link to

Variable sp. several forms noted by R. Morris 2009. Begonia rex Curtis's botanical magazine. London ; New York: Academic Press v. 85=ser. 3: v. 15 (1859) [no. 5091-5156]: Tab. 5101, 5102, 5107 http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/14225 Begonia rex; acaulis, rhizomate crasso, foliis amplis longe petiolatis sparse pilosis inaequilatere cordato-ovatis sinuato-crenatis venoso-bullatis atro-metallico-viridibus nitidis versus marginem purpureo tinctis annulo lato argenteo in disco pictis, pedunculo petiolis longiore dichotome cymoso; floribus roseis majusculis; masc. sepalis 4 quorum 2 cordatis 2 tu plo minoribus oblongis, antheris acuminatis ; Faem: sepalis 5 minoribus subaequalibus oblongis; capsula obliqua, alis 2 parallelis agustis tertia longe producta oblongo-ovata obtusa. Begonia rex. Putz. in Flore des Serres, v. 2, Dec. 1858 (with 2 plates). This is certainly the most lovely of the many lovely species of Begonia with which we are acquainted, and almost justifies the laudatory notice M. Van Houtte has given of it in the volume just quoted: “Nous sommes bien desole d'arrivers i tard a faire paraitre la planche representant de demi-grandeur, la feuille du Beqonia Rex. Ainsi que vient de le dire M. Jules Putzeys, notre honorable collaborateur c' est a M. Linden qu es te chue la bonne fortune d'augmenter les collections le Europe nies de ce merveille Begonia, dont la venue est tout un evenerent en le hortculture. En ayant acquis de nombreux exemplaires des la mise en vente, nous avons pu en reserver que pour in faire des specimens, qui, pendant le cours du dernier ete, produisirent sur les visiteurs un de ces effects sa is isantsqui charment tout autant le vendeur que l’acheteur. Le debit a ete grand; mais aus si est-ce la une de ces plantes 'fit for the million' comme dis ent nos confreres de la fiere Al bion.' ENGLISH TRANSLATION: "We are very sorry to arrive so late to make appear the plate representing half-size the leaf of Beqonia Rex. As Mr. Jules Putzeys has just said, our honorable colleague is Mr. Linden, who is generous enough to increase the collections of Europe, which are the specimens of this wondrous Begonia, whose coming is such an event in the horticultural world. Having acquired numerous plants for the sale, we were able to reserve some of it only to make specimens which, during the course of the last summer, produced on the visitors one of these effects which are as charming as the seller, as well as the buyer. The public’s response was great; it is surely one of these plants 'fit for the millions' as say our confreres of the proud Al bion.' Mr. Linden is stated to have received the plant from Assan but it is not to be supposed the enormous size of the leaf represented by M. Van Houtte is natural to it in its own country; it is the effect of high cultivation and what is gained in size is lost in the brilliancy of color, to judge from the figure. IT has flowered for us in autumn, and probably by a little management the blossoms may be produced at most seasons of the year. Description: There is no true stem to this plant. The red, terete petioles, furrowed on the anterior side spring in clusters from a subterraneous creeping rhizome, by dividing which the plant is readily increased. Bracteas ovate, hair-pointed, strongly ciliated at the lower edge. Leaf about a long as the petiole, in our plants averaging eight to ten inches long, five or six broad, obliquely and inequilaterally ovate, deeply cordate at the lobes overlapping, sparingly villous (as is the petiole), the margin sinuatodentate, the surface bullate as if from the tightness of the veins. The color a deep green, with a metallic luster, and towards the margin tinged with purple. The dark green-colored surface is however interrupted by a broad ring, if it may so be called, of a dead silvery-white, which takes the direction of the margin of the leaf, and is continued almost to the apex of the leaf. Peduncle resembling the petiole, but quite terete. Cyme rather few flowered, twice dichotomous. Flowers large, pale rose-color. Bracts very deciduous. Male flowers two inches across, of four sepals; two cordato-ovate, concave; two smaller, oblong, plane. Anthers yellow, acuminate. Female flowers scarcely more than sepals. Style short, stigmas yellow, convolute. Capsule oblique and one inch long, projecting, ovato-oblong, obtuse one.