Species
B. semperflorens
See B. cucullata var. cucullata
Photos
5 photos
Identity
- Genus
- Begonia
- Name
- B. semperflorens
- Author
- Link & Otto, Icon. Pl. Rar.
- Publication Date
- 1828
- Section
- Ephemera
- Chr 2n
- 56
- Plant Type
- Semperflorens
- Synonyms and Comments
- B. cucullata Willdenow var. cucullata, 1805;
- Reference
- Icon. Pl. Rar. (1): 9, pl. 5. 1828.—Loddiges, Bot. Cab. 15:pl. 1439. 1829. —Graham, Edinburgh New Philos. J.:180. May 1829. —W.J. Hooker, Bot. Mag. 56:pl. 2920. 1829. —Reichenbach, Icon. Bot. Exot. :12, pl. 231. 1830. —J. Golding, Phytologia 50:340. 1982; JGSL9/08;
- Article References
- Curtis's botanical magazine, v. 56 = ser. 2, v. 3 (1829); Wiener illustrirte Garten-Zeitung, jahr. 18, 1893; The Garden, v. 36 1889; Gartenflora, Bd.31, (1882);
- Photo References
- Exotica - Pictorial Encyclopedia of Indoor plants;
Plant
- Description
- Mollers Deutsche Gartner-Zeitung. Erfurt, v. 15 (1900) http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/194341 Group begonias of the Semperflorens class, with special reference to the novelty Begonia semperflorens atropurpurea nana fl. Pl. "Bijou des Jardins". - By Wilhelm Thurmer, Handelsgartner in Diemitz-Halle a. S. The abundance of emerging novelties of the semperflorens variety Begonia, is almost scary. From all countries, from all regions, they come with the pervading names in all languages: English and German, French and Latin, some quite apt, others less and much synonymous. Very aptly the name 'Bijou des Jardins' (also known as the English novelty 'Little Gem') which is always blooming, low and stocky, with the cute stuffed bright red flowers, also named as a 'Carpet Konigin'. Really, a 'gem' and not least radiant in this class. The Company Pape & Bergmann in Quedlinburg has the largest stock of this valuable novelty for seed breeding, because it is true from seed. Also, if 'Bijou des Jardins' is not quite as low as the real 'carpet kingdoms', it achieves a height of 15-20 cm. The dark-glittering foliage resembles that of the 'Carpet Queen', and the filled blossoms are a delightful sight. It is as valuable as pot as well as group plant equally valuable because the cultivation and culture are very simple and easy. The picture above shows a plant from the cultures of Pape & Bergmann in Quedlinburg. 'Zulukonig' is not brand new, but all the more valuable, in fact an improvement of 'Vernon', because if you can call the color tone of foliage in ‘Vernon’ glossy brown-red, 'Zulukonig' is blackish to purple. The multiplication, however, this variety must be done by cuttings, because it does not come true from seed. The same applies to 'Erfordia', some consider Begonia semperflorens gracilis to be far superior because it is a seed crop. According to the opinion of various begonia experts, whose opinion I had occasion to hear, the Pfizer's reintroduction of 'Anna Regina' has this in common with gracilis. Two other lovely group begonias are the Lemoine breeds 'Corbeille de Feu' and 'Abondance', the former with rose-reds, the latter with bright red blooms. The leaves in these two are similar to the foliage of the begonia fuchsioides or, more correctly, that of the B. scandens, while the leaves of 'Fleur de Neige' are more like the leaves of the Begonia metallica, on a very reduced scale. The flowers of these latter are pale pink, almost white. The planting of the carpet beds with Semperflorens begonias. – by J. Glunicke, in company: Sattler & Bethge, A.-G. in Quedlinburg. Not so long ago, most carpet beds were planted with variegated leaves, especially with Alternanthera, but since the genus of Semperflorens begonias have been cultivated Rug-planting has taken a turn. Indeed, the semperflorens begonias seem to initiate a whole new direction in the planting of flower parterres and carpet beds. The illustration on page 506 shows carpet beds of the company planted with semperflorens begonias Sattler & Bethge. I can say that the planting our parterre seldom was admired so much as this summer. I want to outline the planting of the flower beds. The foremost, about 6 m in diameter holding large round bed in points the middle a Dracaena indivisa, surrounded by Iresine lindeni, which are further enclosed in a circular planting of Begonia semperflorens 'Corbeille de Feu', connecting to a wavy planted circle of Begonia semperflorens gracilis. To this circle are added semicircular points, comprised of masses of Begonia semperflorens 'Vulkan', edged with B. semperflorens nana compacta 'Vernon'. The background of the bed is Antennaria tomentosa, from which the small circles planted with Begonia semperflorens 'Zulukonig' and bordered with B. semperflorens nana compacta 'Vernon' effectively stand out. The whole bed is with Begonia semperflorens nana compacta 'Vernon' enclosed as a conclusion. Similar to this, the rearmost round bed, planted in a star shape, is made in such a way that the individual points of the star alternate with Begonia 'Corbeille de Feu' and 'Abondance', but otherwise resembles the planting of the first bed. The middle of the arabesques are Pelargonium zonal 'Mac Mahon' with bronze colored foliage and the side parts of Begonia semperflorens 'Fleur de Neige' and bordered by Iresine Wallisi. The Fountain is from B. semperflorens 'Fleur de Neige', Montbretia and Santolina tomentosa. The lateral front beds have a background from Antennaria tomentosa, from the arabesque, Made from Alternanthera amoena spectabilis nana compacta grandifolia, despite the long name, completely especially stand out. As a mount serves Alternanthera purpurea grandifolia. To complete the picture of the parterre to explain, I still mention that the beds on the side wall left with Nicotiana sylvestris, a very spare novelty, before the orange scarlet begonia hybrida 'Mammuth' and Montbretia, are planted. The back end of the whole Parterres forms about 30 m long and 2 - 3 · m wide foliage plants group, those with Nicotiana sylvestris, N. colossea and N. colossea fol. variegatis, Gunnera manicata, Echinops giganteus, Solanum robustum and S. atropurpureum and Ricinus zanzibariensis, concluding with a number of Montbretia and Fuchsia 'Golden Fleece' was planted. Let me now follow a short description of each Begonia semperflorens variety. 'Corbeille de Feu' has fiery coral flowers, shiny metallic lanceolate leaves and grows to a height of about 20 cm. 'Abondance' with equally beautiful foliage and magnificent pink flowers is about 20-25 cm high, so slightly higher than the former. Both varieties are French breeding and are unique in their kind, flowering immensely, even in winter, but can only be propagated by cuttings, which they produce easily. l do not know of a begonia that was more suitable for group planting and that had a more beautiful foliage than 'Vulkan' which is also of French descent and resembles the old 'Vernon', but is not as high as that and has larger and much more luminous, dark fiery red flowers with golden yellow stamens. The foliage takes on a brown-red color in full sun. This strain is true from seed. Begonia semperflorens Gracilis has magnificent pink flowers and a beautiful green foliage; quickly fills with flowers, and true from seed. 'Vernon nana compacta' has small fiery red flowers, and dark foliage in sunny plantings. Under these circumstances it is 8-10 cm high. 'Zulukonig', a well-known very valuable breed with deep black-red foliage, only from cuttings, reaches 15-20 cm high. Seed can be grown but seed plants are taller according to my observations and do not have a black-red, but a lighter foliage, are not always as good. Seed plants flowers the same as cutting grown, but in ‘Zulukonig's’ case, the deep black-red foliage has a much greater importance than the flowers. 'Fleur de Neige' is again, as the name implies, of French origin. It has pure white flowers, which have a pink glow on the underside, and has kidney-shaped leaves, is very rich in flowers and is very much too recommend. The following recommended varieties were not used for the planting of our parterres. Begonia semperflorens nana compacta alba of very low growth with pure white flowers and very strong flowering. True from seed. 'Anna Regina' has beautiful pink flowers that are a bit bigger than those of the gracilis. Begonia semperflorens atropurpurea fl. pl. 'Little Gem' brings already filled purple flowers, has a black and red foliage and a spherical, compact growth, but with only 50% true from seeds, so for the time being, the propagation of cuttings is preferable. Finally, I want to commemorate a begonia, not to the Semperflorens variety, but a Tuber-begonias, and this is Begonia hybrida gigantea 'mammoth'. Unfortunately, there is of this splendid variety until now only one color, scarlet red. 'Mammuth' is characterized by a particularly lush growth and already veined tight foliage. The very large firm, fleshy flowers are freed from finger-thick stems the great nature of 'Mammuth' is more and more used for group planting. Like all tuberous begonias, this one loves a partially shaded spot to develop quite well. I hereby conclude my brief essay, and I hope that it will contribute to a further spread of the very beautiful and grateful Semper florets begonias, whose exceptionally rich and long-lasting florets make them very suitable for group planting. Besides, still comes the consideration that Semperflorens begonias are of great diversity in their stature, as well as in their deciduous and blood color, so they offer the largest selection change for the most varied groupings.; Curtis's botanical magazine, v. 56 = ser. 2, v. 3 (1829) B. semperflorens: Description Stem erect, rather thick, terete, fleshy, glabrous, reddish green, scarcely, if at all branched. Leaves alternate, remote, plane, ovato-rotundate, obtuse at the base, rarely a little cordate, unequal, apiculate, the margins minutely serrated, more or less ciliated at the margin, color pale green, the surface particularly smooth and free from hairiness. Petiole long, reddish, channeled, at the base are two large, ovato-oblong. Deciduous, ciliated brownish stipules. Peduncles axillary and terminal. Male flowers with two large rounded, and two small, oblong or linear, rose colored petals. Female flowers with five small unequal petals, of the same color. Capsule greenish brown, membranous, reticulated, having three very unequal wings; two small, narrow, and equal in breadth throughout, while the third forms a large, triangular, very projecting and obtuse membrane. The nearest ally of this species is, probably; the B. spathulata of Willdenow; but there, the leaves are far more concave, not apiculated, the stipules are larger, and the larger wing is acute. The present species was sent to the Liverpool Botanic Garden, by Charles Chamberlayne, Esq. from Brazil, and flowered in October 1828. I have seen this species cultivated in gardens in Britain, under the names of B. setaria and B. sellovii.; The Garden, v. 36 1889 WINTER-FLOWERING BEGONIAS. In common with the tuberous-rooted section of Begonias that flower during the summer months, those that bloom throughout the autumn and winter have within the last few years become far more popular than hitherto, and some of our most prominent hybridists have devoted their attention to the production of new varieties. Among the older winter-flowering Begonias may be mentioned several of the original species and hybrids raised therefrom, most of which are of a shrubby character, while recently the curious peltate leaved B. socotrana and some of the tuberous-rooted class have been successfully employed in the production of the newer hybrids. Of varieties not springing from either of these two just mentioned and of original species valuable for their winter blooming qualities may be especially mentioned. B. semperflorens The specific name of this species is well bestowed, for it will bloom continuously throughout the year. In the form most commonly met with the flowers are white tinged with pink, but in some the blooms are pure white, while in others they are very richly tinted. One of the very best of winter-flowering Begonias is usually classed as a variety of B. semperflorens under the cumbersome name of B. semperflorens gigantea carminea. It is of continental origin, and when first sent out was announced as a cross between B. lynchiana (Roezli) and B. semperflorens. The entire plant, however, bears a far greater resemblance to B. lynchiana than to its other reputed parent, the principal difference being that it is less liable to run up naked at the base than B. which often does not break out freely even if pinched back during its earlier stages, while B. semperflorens gigantea carminea can be induced to form quite a bushy plant. Other kinds known as gigantea rosea and B. gigantea elegans seem to differ but little from that above described.; Wiener illustrirte Garten-Zeitung, jahr. 18, 1893 B. semperflorens Lk. & Otto: Every gardener and garden friend knows the high value of single species of the genus Begonia, of which not only the beautiful bulbous ones alone, but also some shrubby species are used with special preference during the summer months because of their infinite bloodshed. The perfection of flower and habit in tuberous begonias is well known, but less so are the different forms of the old well-known B. semperflorens Lk. & Otto, which does not match with B. semperflorens Hooker (Beg. Hookeri Sweet) and may be confused. When our B. semperflorens was actually introduced into the European garden is indefinite, but it is certain that quite a few forms of this plant are cultivated today, which are essential both by the coloring of the foliage, as well as by the size and color of the bloom different. The plant has smooth stems, a low shrubby growth. The leaves are oblique, round, almost heart-shaped, notched, the sides of the petals are oblong, the flowers numerous, white, standing in forked umbels. From this plant the two varieties var. Rosea and var. Coccinea were first brought up, which differ from each other by the large, bright pink and scarlet flowers. Later, Mr. Hofgartner Pettera in Gmunden succeeded in raising a variety with dark red leaves from seeds, which, is known as B. semperflorens foliis atropurpureus, however, it did not have the same distribution as the today diversely famed and cultivated B. semperflorens var. Vernon, although they almost are identical and show only a small difference in the color of the flowers. The dwarf forms of the B. semperflorens, namely the var. Compacta nana with a bright red flower, which was marketed by the French breeder Delaux, and the var. Compacta alba, which was raised from seed in Germany, showed particular advantages for group planting. These two varieties are about 12 cm. high and covered with flowers almost all year round. B. semperflorens everblooming quality was universally acknowledged, excellent breeders of this plant seized and sought to produce new hybrid forms, for which, above all, the B. Schmidtiana, as a crossing parent was used. This species, also from Brazil and introduced by the company Haage & Schmidt, is also known as a flowering plant thanks to which the leaves are obliquely heart-shaped, brown-brown, red on the back and hairy on both sides. The flowers are white and sepals a light rose. The pretty structure and the bloom-richness made this species particularly suitable for crosses. From this cross the well-known B. florida incomparabilis, which was released by Haage & Schmidt with that of Ed. Andre named B. pictaviensis and the Bruant common B. bruanti could all be identical. Even the same quantity of B. massiliensis brought to the market by Deleuil comes from the same plants, and therefore shows no particular deviations from the one mentioned earlier. A significant innovation was achieved by the well-known French breeder Lemoine, who crossed the old B. semperflorens with the B. roezlii, thereby raising a hybrid possessing the stocky, multi-branched habit of the mother plant, but also the powerful leaves and the larger flowers the second variety shows. Because of this characteristic, it was named Lemoine B. semperflorens gigantea. Apart from this striking variety Lemoine brought up two other hybrids, similar to B. semperflorens gigantea, but differ in their growth and bloom color. These are B. semperflorens elegans and B. semperflorens sieberiana. The former has a fiery rose tone, in the half-open state almost fiery flowers, while the latter shows a very delicate pink, and is also distinguished by a somewhat higher growth. Very interesting, however, is the variety B. rosea floribunda, which was allegedly brought up by the commercial gardener E. Cappe in Vesinet in France by crossing the B. pictaviensis with the dark-leaved var. Vernon. This low-growing plant reaches a height of 20-25 cm., Its smooth stems are bright red, bear small, almost round, glossy, short-serrated leaves and numerous rose-violet flowers which protrude freely above the foliage. The beauty of this plant is undeniable and a coincidence it may have been that it was created in three places almost simultaneously, B. Schmidti hybr. Rosea and B. versaillensis are commercially traded under the already cited. These hybrids were joined in the past years by a novelty developed by Mr. Hofgartner Pfister in Gaibach, which arose from a crossing of the B. semperflorens with the B. Froebelii and named by the breeder B. semperflorens Vera. The individual flowers of this plant, which is depicted in the 'Moller'sche Gartenzeitung', have a diameter of 3 ½ cm., Stand together in loose umbels of 6-10. They are white under glass and take on a light rose nuance outdoors. This beautiful flowering Begonia, planted on a group, makes a wonderful effect, since every plant carries so much bloom that the small B. schmidti-like leaves hardly are visible. For the sake of completeness, we just want to mention that in recent times Mr. Mapp Neustadt of Aisch was concerned with the improvement of B. semperflorens, and indeed bred some varieties which, according to the reports, deserve all attention. But also in the local municipal reserve garden, a new variety has been raised in this year, which remains completely low, easily grown and blooming. The blooms of this sort are lively pink, but relatively small, which is hardly noticeable with such a huge quantity of flowers. For the next year the Firm Haage & Schmidt spreads a new hybrid, called B. Erfordia, and appears in the figure 80. Again, this novelty is a hybrid of B. Schimdtii, but with the B. Vernon, and is called the most beautiful breed. The construction of the plant corresponds to that of the B. Schmidtii, as well as the position of the flowers, which are delicately carmin rose colored. The foliage, on the other hand, and the dark bronzed undertones are reminiscent of B. Vernon. Like all other varieties of B. semperflorens, this novelty is also suitable for group planting and remains completely constant from seeds, which is not the case in all varieties. The cultivation of this plant species is very easy with its varieties and hybrids and offers no difficulty.
Lineage
71 descendants
Parents
No parentage recorded.
B. cucullata Willdenow var. cucullata, 1805;
Descendants
71 recorded children
As female parent
50
Male parent: B. schmidtiana
Male parent: B. grandis ssp. evansiana
Male parent: B. minor
Male parent: B. schmidtiana
Male parent: B. schmidtiana
Male parent: B. cyathophora
Male parent: B. schmidtii
Male parent: B. rubriflora
Male parent: B. foliosa var. miniata
Male parent: B. cyathophora
Male parent: B. roezlii var. roezlii
Male parent: B. coccinea
Male parent: B. roezlii var. roezlii
Male parent: B. rubriflora
Male parent: B. roezlii var. roezlii
Male parent: B. roezlii var. roezlii
Male parent: B. cyathophora
Male parent: B. cyathophora
Male parent: B. cyathophora
Male parent: B. cyathophora
Male parent: B. cyathophora
Male parent: B. cyathophora
Male parent: B. schmidtiana
Male parent: B. ‘Floribunda’
Male parent: B. unidentified cv.
Male parent: B. unidentified cv.
Male parent: B. unidentified cv.
Male parent: B. roezlii var. roezlii
Male parent: B. cubensis
Male parent: B. (unidentified tuberous x verscheffeltii)
Male parent: B. ‘Calla Queen’
Male parent: B. cyathophora
Male parent: B. cyathophora
Male parent: B. ‘Roszli’
Male parent: B. schmidtiana
Male parent: B. ‘Verrieres’
Male parent: B. cyathophora
Male parent: B. semperflorens
Male parent: B. roezlii var. roezlii
Male parent: B. semperflorens
Male parent: B. schmidtiana
Male parent: B. semperflorens
Male parent: B. roezlii var. roezlii
Male parent: B. ‘India species ABS Seed Fund 1958’
Male parent: B. semperflorens
Male parent: B. unknown
Male parent: B. roezlii var. roezlii
Male parent: B. semperflorens
As male parent
26
Female parent: B. foliosa var. miniata
Female parent: B. roezlii var. roezlii
Female parent: B. foliosa var. miniata
Female parent: B. ‘Fleur de Niege’
Female parent: B. foliosa var. miniata
Female parent: B. rubriflora
Female parent: B. rubriflora
Female parent: B. ‘Calla Queen’
Female parent: B. ‘Kalla King’
Female parent: B. ‘Elegans’
Female parent: B. ‘Gigantea’
Female parent: B. unidentified cv.
Female parent: B. ‘Elegans’
Female parent: B. schmidtiana
Female parent: B. pearcei
Female parent: B. ‘Calla Queen’
Female parent: B. semperflorens
Female parent: B. foliosa var. miniata
Female parent: B. semperflorens
Female parent: B. semperflorens
Female parent: B. ‘Gerbe Fleurie’
Female parent: B. semperflorens
Female parent: B. foliosa var. miniata
Female parent: B. semperflorens
Female parent: B. andina
Female parent: B. ‘Geneva Beauty Series’
Culture
- Comments
- Cytological investigation of hybrid varieties of Begonia semperflorens, A. E. ZEILINGA, Institute of Horticultural Plant Breeding – Wageningen. Euphytica. May 1962, Volume 11, Issue 2, pp 126–136 TAXONOMIC BACKGROUND OF MODERN BEGONIAS Begonia semperflorens LK. et OTTO was introduced into Europe from South America as early as 1828. Loddiges Bot. Cabinet tab. nr. 1439 of 1828 and Curtis' Botanical Magazine, tab. nr. 2920 of 1829 give illustrations of the species. In these early days, it seems that the plants were grown only in greenhouses, as may be expected of a tropical plant. Many years later its suitability for bedding purposes was discovered. This led to a new practice which was without doubt also a stimulus to propagation by seed. However, the first mutation in the genus was not seen until 1879. It was E. A. CARRIERE (1881) who gave an account of the way it originated. This new variety had been obtained by Mr. ROUSSEL, chief gardener near Tours. It was demonstrated during a meeting of the Society of Horticulture of 'Indre et Loire' as Begonia 'Philippe Lemoine', but was later called B. semperflorens rosea, conform to the rules then in use. The change from light to deep rose occurred without any hybridization, and proved true from seed from the beginning. At that time, such a change was considered very uncommon. It has been commented by S. KoRSCHINSKY (1901) who stated that a deep rose variation was known as B. semperflorens Hookeri D.C. from the Bot. Gardens at Liverpool in 1828, but which was distinct in many minor points. The Hookeri variety disappeared some years later. KoRSCHINSKY mentioned B. semp. rosea as a rare case of change from white to colored, which in fact it was not as the wild type was not white but light rose. Afterwards true mutations have often been observed. I have seen changes from rose to white, from rose to red and from green leaf to albino. The change from rose to red occurred as a sectorial chimaera in a rose flowering F1 seedling of which the seed parent had red flowers. This first break in the genus was soon followed by a steady flow of variations of which we mention the variety Vernon (B. semperflorens rubra), a robust plant with dark red flowers and bronze green leaves of outstanding ornamental value. E. A. CARRIERE and E. D. ANDRE (1890) state that this cultivar had been obtained by Mr. VERNON, gardener at Blois, who presented it at the meeting of the "Societe de l'Horticulture" in July 1890. For a long time, it has been popular and it is still used in localities where its robust habit is of merit. This variation was a mutation too, it came at once true from seed. Besides color mutations other changes appeared, of which the dwarfs should be mentioned here. E. A. CARRIERE (1891a) describes B. semperflorens minima alba as a dwarf obtained by Mr. CHAPUIS at Vincennes and B. semperflorens minima rubra from Mr. FoRGEOT at Paris. They had a very reduced growth which was, with some exaggeration, mentioned to be as high as 6-10 cm. The cultivars are recommended for use in "bordures", an ornamentation then much applied. In this paper CARRIERE (1891) suggests that the number of varieties was probably high at that time. Maybe he had in mind the varieties bred from B. semperflorens x B. Schmidtiana crosses. B. Schmidtiana, a white flowered species, was originally collected along the Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil and introduced into Europe by E. SCHMIDT at Erfurt. It was described and pictured by C. REGEL (1879) and introduced to the trade by HAAGE & SCHMIDT in 1880. B. x pictavensis syn. B. Bruanti Hort. is an almost white flowered hybrid resulting from a chance crossing between B. semperflorens and B. Schmidtiana. B. versaliensis (1891) is a dark rose flowered hybrid resulting from a deliberate crossing between the two species made by Mr. LEMAITRE, chief gardener of the School of Horticulture at Versailles, by making a mixed planting of B. semperflorens rubra ('Vernon') and B. Schmidtiana. The seeds harvested gave about 60% hybrids of an intermediate type. B. 'Erfordia' is a hybrid between the two species resulting from a hand crossing introduced by HAAGE & SCHMIDT in 1893. B. 'Obelisk' is a hybrid between the two species made by LEMOINE at Nancy. All these hybrids proved to be sterile, and had to be propagated from cuttings or by F1 seed production. Backcrosses to either parent mostly failed. Sometimes fertile progenies were obtained, but according to G. BELLAIR (1902) they deviated so much from the hybrids that they must have been descendants of B. Schmidtiana and not hybrids. B. semperflorens gracilis, which is quite a new type in B. semperflorens, is claimed to have resulted from a backcross of one of the B. semperflorens x B. Schmidtiana hybrids to B. semperflorens. This new type was first introduced by C. WELKER, chief gardener of the domain Beauregard, in two colors. A rose variety appeared in 1898 and a white one in 1899. VILMORIN-ANDRIEUX &Co. (1909) brought this new type and said it had emerged from a crossing of B. versaliensis (see above) and B. semperflorens rubra (= 'Vernon'). According to the opinion of BELLAIR, some of the above mentioned fertile hybrids were involved in the cross. Whatever the real composition of B. semperflorens gracilis may be, since its appearance the catalogues of the seed firms have mentioned two types of B. semperflorens, viz. B. semperflorens = the not hybridized varieties, and B. semperflorens gracilis = the hybridized varieties. The two types differ in various respects, which are quite characteristic and which can easily be recognized by a trained gardener. From that time, onwards new varieties of both types have appeared at regular intervals. EARLIER CYTOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS From three different angles, the problem of Begonia semperflorens has thus far been studied, but these studies are not very elucidating. A. VILLERTS (1937) studied the hybrids of some other Begonia species with B. semperflorens. However, he did not mention the cultivar name of the semperflorens parent he used in his crosses. He called it semperflorens alba, and stated that his type came true from seed and that the flowers when grown outdoors had faint rose margins at the petals. This cultivar was crossed with the cv. Indian Maid (B. semperflorens gracilis) as a pollen parent, and as the hybrid was sterile to a certain extent (he got a progeny when it was backcrossed) this hybrid was considered as a species hybrid. Presumably he considered Begonia semperflorens gracilis as a variety of Begonia gracilis H. B. K. as also did various other authors erroneously. MATSUURA & OKUNO (1943) studied chromosome numbers in B. semperflorens. They worked with 7 different "types" but they did not mention any cultivar-name. They did not refer to the semperflorens and gracilis groups or to the existence of pure F1 species hybrids like 'Erfordia' and 'Blutenmeer'. F. BRUSSEL (1952) also confused the gracilis H. B. K. with semperflorens gracilis. He started with a gracilis type in which he counted 50 chromosomes, a triploid form! His data on measurements, as well as those on the crosses at the "diploid" and the "tetraploid" level are very variable and not very convincing. In nearly all the German sources I came across the mistake of the gracilis H. B. K. For instance, ALBERT VOGELMANN (1951) mentions Messrs. BENARY as having made many crosses with gracilis H. B. K., but E. BENARY (1938) the German Begonia breeder states that the gracilis strain has been developed by crossing with B. Schmidtiana.