Begonia ×Semperflorens-Cultorum hybrids

Fibrous-rooted, bushy herbs to c. 30 cm high; stems succulent and much-branched. Lvs with large scarious stipules; petiole reddish, to c. 3 cm long; lamina to c. 8 × 6 cm (larger in cultivation), broadly ovate, usually partly folded lengthways, semi-succulent, glossy above, glabrous except for the sparsely ciliate, reddish, undulate margin; base almost symmetric to somewhat oblique. Fls in small axillary clusters toward stem apices. ♂ fls: sepals 2, 1.5-c. 2.5 cm diam., almost orbicular, white, pink or rose; petals 2, c. 1.0 × 0.5 cm, narrowly elliptic-obovate, coloured similiarly. ♀ fls smaller; sepals 3; petals 2. Ovary with 3, broad, pink to red wings. Stigmas spirally twisted.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Jan.–Dec.