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Begonias are native to moist tropical and subtropical regions of
all continents except Australia, and are most diverse in South
America.
There are over 1,500 known species, ranging from rhizomatous
perennials a few inches high to 10 ft (3 m) shrubs. Mostly
evergreen, they have broad, usually asymmetrical leaves of rather
brittle and waxy texture.
Female flowers, as distinct from male flowers which are on the same
plant, have broad, colored flanges on the ovaries which develop into
winged fruits.
Cultivation: Propagate from tubers in the case of tuberous begonias.
Other begonias may be propagated from stem or leaf cuttings (laying
cut leaf blades flat on damp sand, weighed down with pebbles), or by
division of rhizomes or from seed.
Begonias are susceptible to gray mold, powdery mildew and botrytis
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