B. ludwigii | Photo: Don Miller
The thick-stemmed description is so variable, that there is no cohesive group of begonias that really exemplifies it, and there are many forms. These begonias all have very thick stems, and usually do not branch much, instead sending up new growth from the base.
As they grow the thick stems are exposed, usually as lower leaves drop off and only the newer leaves on the tips remain. These can be very attractive and are definitely unusual if you’re looking for something different to grow.
Articles About Thick-Stemmed Begonias
Begonia carolineifolia
B. carolineifolia was described by Edward Regel, a Swiss botanist, in 1852…
Begonia dipetala
B. dipetala has been around for a long time in Begonia years, having been found in Bombay…
Begonia crassicaulis
B. crassicaulis was first published by John Lindley in 1842. It is native to Central America, more specifically Gautemala…
Begonia ‘Rudy’
Rudy Ziesenhenne of Santa Barbara created this begonia in 1975. Before Rudy named it, a customer to his greenhouse spotted it…
Begonia ludwigii
Begonia ludwigii was discovered in Ecuador in 1931 by E. K. Gray and described in 1937 by...
Begonia grisea
Begonia grisea has been known for a long time, but is not frequently cultivated. It was described...
Begonia ‘Star Frost’
This plant is very aptly named as its leaves are star-shaped, heavily overlaid with silver. It is...
Begonia ‘Careless Whisper’
B. ‘Careless Whisper’ was developed on a whim in the mid-1990’s out of a cross between B. ‘Cowardly Lion’ and B. venosa…
Begonia handelii
This species Begonia is native to northern Vietnam. Edgar Irmscher first published this name in...
Thick-stemmed begonias: many are really BIG
Possibly the least recognized yet most challenging begonias are those in the thick-stemmed group....
The Odd and Beautiful B. wollnyi
My husband accuses me of only having kooky people as friends, and I must confess he’s right…
Spotlight on: Begonia dipetala
B. dipetala (dye-pet-al-ah) was first discovered in Bombay, India in 1826 by H. H. Johnstone, and...
Begonia petasitifolia
My species B. petasitifolia is a thick stem and beautiful. I love it. I committed a sin, in my...
