Begonia rex, the king begonia, is a species of flowering plant in the family Begoniaceae. It is found from Arunachal Pradesh to southeast China, and has been introduced to Bangladesh, Cuba, and Hispaniola.[1][2] It is a parent to over 500 cultivars in the Begonia Rex Cultorum Group of houseplants.[3] Other parents in the multitude of crosses made during the creation of the Group include Begonia annulata, B. cathayana, B. decora, B. diadema, B. dregei, B. grandis, B. hatacoa, B. palmata, and B. xanthina.[3]
| Begonia rex | |
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| Begonia rex 'Red Tango' cultivar | |
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| Putative variety Begonia rex var. imperator by Adam Gatternicht | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Cucurbitales |
| Family: | Begoniaceae |
| Genus: | Begonia |
| Species: | B. rex
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| Binomial name | |
| Begonia rex | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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The following cultivars in the Begonia Rex Cultorum Group have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit: 'Benitochiba', 'Carolina Moon', 'China Curl', 'Curly Fireflush', 'David Blais', 'Dewdrop', 'Emerald Beauty', 'Escargot', 'Fireworks', 'Green Gold', 'Helen Lewis', 'Hilo Holiday', 'Ironstone', 'Martin Johnson', 'Midnight Magic', 'Mikado', 'Namur', 'Orient', 'Pink Champagne', 'Princess of Hanover', 'Red Robin', 'Regal Minuet', 'Rocheart', 'Roi de Roses', 'Sal's Comet', 'Sea Serpent', 'Silver Cloud', 'Silver King', and 'Silver Queen'.[4]
These plants are noted for their dark leaves with prominent silvery grey bands. When this species was introduced into cultivation, it became popular as a houseplant. Hybrids began to appear with varying leaf patterns as Rex begonias hybridize quite freely.[5]
Light
editRex begonias do well in bright, indirect light. Foliage of these plants could burn when plants are exposed to excessive direct sunlight. The ideal light intensity for most Rex begonia varieties is 1,500 to 2,200 foot-candles.[6]
References
edit- ^ a b "Begonia rex Putz". Plants of the World Online. Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
- ^ "Begonia rex king begonia". The Royal Horticultural Society. 2021. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
Other common names; … fan plant, painted-leaf begonia
- ^ a b Cubey, Janet; Wesley, Wendy (December 2006). "Begonia Rex Cultorum Group" (PDF). RHS Plant Trials and Awards. Bulletin Number 16: 1–16. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
- ^ "AGM Plants Dec 2020 © RHS – ORNAMENTAL" (PDF). rhs.org.uk. The Royal Horticultural Society. December 2020. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
- ^ Shannon, Laughlin (2022-02-23). "Rex Begonia | Home and Garden Education Center". University of Connecticut. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
- ^ Ginori, Julian; Huo, Heqiang; Norman, Dave (2022-12-12). "Beginner's Guide to Begonias: Begonia rex-cultorum". EDIS. 2022 (6). doi:10.32473/edis-ep632-2022. ISSN 2576-0009.
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