Many of the cultivars we enjoy today have a special history. B. ‘Erythrophylla’ was created in Germany in 1845! B. ‘Ricinifolia’ was created in England, 1847; an article in an early Begonian describes B. ‘Ricinifolia’ with leaves 10-15” across and deep pink blossoms forming huge bunches on its stalks. Read more about cultivar preservation.

Michel Bégon, Governor of the French Antilles, sent Father Charles Plumier, a French botanist to study flora in the West Indies. In 1689, Father Plumier described a small plant with succulent leaves that he named “begonia rosea flore, folio orbiculate”, meaning ,‘begonia with the color of a rose and round leaves’, in honor of Michel Bégon.

There are over 2050 Begonia species described, and this list continues to grow. Begonia bangsamoro (Philippines), B. voluptuaria (Laos), and B. ahooensis (India) are three of these, and as are so many species across the world, considered to have a vulnerable conservation status.

Some begonias have a leaf surface with bullae (meaning blistered, bubbled, or puckered). B. ferox is an impressive example of a Begonia with this leaf characteristic. Ferox means fierce and refers to its fierce-looking leaves with very prominent bullae.