Home > Begonian > Volume 68 (May/June 2001, pages 96 - 97)

Begonia hydrocotylifolia Otto ex Hooker
by Normand Dufresne

B. hydrocotylifolia Otto ex Hooker was discovered in Mexico in 1841, but was not described until 1949.

B. hydrocotylifolia is a rhizomatous begonia with a short thick succulent and creeping rhizome. The leaves are small, 3 by 2 1 /2 inches, orbicular(circular), cordate (heart shaped), entire, coriaceous (leathery), glabrous dark green in color, medium green in shading and when young covered with hairs. The underside of the leaf is light red and lightly napped. The brownish green petioles are 1 1/2 to 3 inches long and keep the plant compact.

Flowers are small rose pink with two rounded petals on both the male and female. The fruit has three nearly equal wings. Blooms are profuse mid-winter to early spring.

B. hydrocotylifolia is sometimes called pennywort or pond lily begonia because of its appearance. It is in fact one parent of B. `Erythrophylla' which is also called pond lily.

Early morning or late afternoon sun is good for this plant. Temperatures between 58 and 72 degrees are fine, lower temperatures will make the plant go dormant. Humidity of 50 to 60 percent is ideal, but a lower rate is tolerated.

B. hydrocotylifolia is not a fussy begonia and will attain its full potential height of just under six inches in any good mix that drains well. A shallow container should be used.

This article appeared, first in the January issue of The Buxtonian, newsletter of the Buxton Branch, where Normand writes an item on the plant of the month for each issue.

B. hydrocotylifolia, grown by Gene Salisbury in his greenhouse in Tonkawa, OK.