Photo credit: In Search of Small Things
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Begonia versicolor is a beautiful a rhizomatous species from Southern China and Northen Vietnam. It has dark green leaves, frosted with silver and covered with thick red hairs, especially prominent on the veins, giving it a velvety appearance. It dislikes higher temperatures and appreciates some humidity (>70%).
| Species | B. versicolor |
|---|---|
| Region | Asia |
| Country | China; N Vietnam |
| Year published | 1939 |
| Date of Origin | 1939 |
| Plant Type | Rhizomatous |
| Section | Platycentrum |
| Chr 2n | 22 |
| Endangered Status | - |
| 🌡️ | 15-35C |
| 💦 | Higher Humidity (>70%) |
| Care notes | Well draining substrate |
Photo credit: In Search of Small Things
Photo credit: In Search of Small Things
Photo credit: In Search of Small Things
Photo credit: In Search of Small Things
Photo credit: In Search of Small Things
Photo credit: In Search of Small Things
Photo credit: In Search of Small Things
Photo credit: In Search of Small Things
Photo credit: In Search of Small Things
Photo credit: In Search of Small Things
| Species/ Cultivar | B. versicolor |
|---|---|
| Form Varieties | |
| Author | Irmscher, Mitt. Inst. Allg. Bot., Hamburg. |
| Publication Date | 1939 |
| Date of Origin | 1939 |
| Place | Yunan, China; N Vietnam |
| Habitat | In forests ca. 1600-2100 m. alt. |
| Section | Platycentrum |
| Chr 2n | 22 |
| Plant Type | - |
| Synonyms and Comments | Etymology: Latin meaning variously coloured. |
| “Leslie Woodriff called it the “Fairy Carpet” begonia because of the velvety appearance of its dark green leaves, frosted with silver and covered with thick red hairs, especially down the veins.” (from Begonias.org). | |
| Reference | JBS, Begonias :66. 1980; Murotani, Begonia in Colour :166. 1983; Tebbitt, Begonias pl.203. 2005; Hughes M. et al., Asian Begonia 339, 2018; Yu-Min Shui & Wen-Hong Chen, Begonia of China: p260, 2017; The Begonian, Apr 1965; Exotica - Pictorial Encyclopedia of Indoor plants; |
| Description | Dark green leaves, frosted with silver and covered with thick red hairs, especially prominent on the veins, giving it a velvety appearance. |
|---|---|
| Male Flower | Intermittent flowering, mainly summer - early autumn. 4-5 tepals, salmon pink flowers |
| Female Flower | 5 unequal tepals |
| Plant Hardiness |
| Sun Tolerance | Half to full shade |
|---|---|
| Pests Diseases | |
| Temperature | 15-25C |
| Humidity | Medium to high Humidity (>70%) |
| Propagation Method | |
| Comments |
| Offspring of: | NA |
|---|---|
| Female Parent Of | B. Barbara Lepisto |
| B. Barbara Neptune | |
| B. Dreamthorpe | |
| B. Gordy | |
| B. Illiad | |
| B. Joe Bond | |
| B. Mae Bee | |
| B. Mae Blanton | |
| B. Millie Thompson | |
| B. Romola | |
| B. Versi-Cath | |
| B. Wanda | |
| B. Snowdrifts | |
| B. Moon Moss | |
| B. (versicolor x cathayana) | |
| Male Parent Of | B. Calcutta |
| B. Silver Firecolor | |
| B. Surprise | |
| B. Veeversi | |
| B. Tekla T. | |
| B. Millenium | |
| B. x malipoensis | |
| In Cultivation? | Yes |
References:
Photo credit: In Search of Small Things