# Begonia

Begonias are lovely flowers that can brighten up any space! They come in many colors and are often grown indoors.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Gardens and indoor spaces
- **Also known as:** Angel Wing Begonia, Rex Begonia, Wax Begonia

![Begonia](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424272/objects/4911.jpg)

## Appearance

The Begonia has vibrant, often asymmetrical leaves with striking patterns and colours, ranging from green to deep red. Its delicate flowers, in shades of red, pink, orange, yellow, or white, can be single or double-petaled, adding a splash of intense colour.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Family:** Begoniaceae
- **Genus:** Begonia

## Interesting facts

- A Begonia flower can look like a tiny rose or a ruffled carnation!
- Begonias were first discovered way back in the 1600s!
- Some Begonias have leaves that are bigger than your hand!
- They grow wild in steamy rainforests all over the world.

## Special abilities

- **Water Storage Roots:** Begonia can have thick, tuberous roots that store water and nutrients, helping it survive short dry periods.
- **Distinct Flowers:** Begonia plants produce separate male and female flowers on the same plant, ensuring successful seed production.
- **Vibrant Foliage:** Many Begonias have colourful, patterned leaves that can help deter herbivores or attract pollinators from afar.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 15-90 cm
- **Spread:** 15-90 cm
- **Flower Size:** 2-15 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Late spring to fall
- **Edible:** No
- **Toxicity:** Mild
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** Honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Helps carry pollen between male and female flowers.
- **Pollinates:** Buff-tailed bumblebee (*Bombus terrestris*) — Visits Begonia blooms, aiding in plant reproduction.
- **Eaten by:** Grey field slug (*Deroceras reticulatum*) — Feeds on Begonia leaves and tender stems in gardens.

## Traits

- [Annual](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/annual): Annual plants complete their entire life cycle, from germination to seed production, within a single growing season.
- [Cluster Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/cluster-flower): Cluster flowers are inflorescences where individual flowers are arranged closely together on a common stem.
- [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
- [Everblooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/everblooming): Everblooming plants produce flowers continuously or in repeated flushes over a long period.
- [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
- [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.

## Collections

- [Flowers](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/flowers)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Explore with care and ask an adult if you’re unsure what to do.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Begonia?

Count the petals where you can, then compare the flower's center, its symmetry, how the blooms are grouped and the leaves below. Color varies between garden varieties and shifts with the light. Flower Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Begonia?

15-90 cm

### How wide does Begonia spread?

15-90 cm

### How big are the flowers on Begonia?

2-15 cm

### When does Begonia bloom?

Late spring to fall

### Is Begonia edible?

No

### Is Begonia toxic?

Mild

### What is Begonia's lifecycle?

Perennial

## Where to spot

- [Optikpark Rathenow](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/optikpark-rathenow) — Brandenburg, DE · Park
- [El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/el-presidio-de-santa-barbara-state-historic-park) — California, US · Historic Site

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Begonia: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/begonia)