Begonia

Monoecious A plant that grows both male and female unisexual flowers or other reproductive parts on the same plant.

Begonia
Family	Begoniaceae
Name	Begonia Spp.
Pictures: Tuberous Begonia Begonia albo-picta var. rosea Begonia fuchsioides   See also:  Bulbs, Corms & Tubers, Ornamentals

Begonia is a genus of plants, comprising of some 1000 species. Most are found on the forrest floor, growing in the shade of tall trees. They tend to have large leaves to collect the dim light that filters from the canopy above. Some have evolved special adaptions, such as a reflective layer below the leaves, that reflect that has passed through the leaf, back up again, effectively doubling the thickness of the leaf.

Begonias are monoecious. In the case of tuberous begonias, it is the male flowers that are showy, and the female removed as soon as they appear.

Stamen Part of a flower that produces pollen.

 Tuberous Begonia

Copper Glow
Name	Begonia ×tuberhybrida
Common Name	Tuberous Begonia

This much bred begonia produces the showiest flowers. These "giants" grow flowers that are over 15cm across. The large flowers are all male, bred so that the stamens flatten out to form multiple layers of petals. The female flowers are all single and are much smaller. Pick the female flowers off at the bud stage to encourage larger male flowers.

Salmon Orange	Golden Yellow	Golden Yellow	Golden Yellow
White	White	White	White
Pink Frills	Pink Frills	Pink Frills Female flower	Pink Frills Female flower
Pink Frills	Red Blaze	Red Blaze	Rich Red
Rich Pink

Culture:

 Begonia albo-picta var. rosea

This cane begonia has leaves with silver spots and pink flowers and makes a nice house plant. The canes can grow to 2m.

Female Flowers	Male Flowers

Culture:

 Begonia fuchsioides

This cane begonia is half hardy and tolerant of full sun. It makes a nice garden subject, especially when planted in between shrubs, where it gets filtered light.

Flowers	Flowers

Culture: