Begonias are some of the most democratic shade plants for the efflorescence garden . There are more than 1,200 species and hybrids from which to choose include illumination standing 2 inches tall to giant at 6 ft tall . The most rough-cut varieties are the wax begonias with succulent stem and leaves and little peak in ruby , white and pinkish .
Types
There are three types of begonia and there are sub - category in each character . sinewy begonias include wax and angel fender begonias and are often planted out of doors but can be grown inwardly as well . Rhizomatous types have showy foliage with unimportant flowers . Tuberous begonias are the I with the large bloom that look like small fully open up roses .
Origin
The origin of the begonia was commonly cogitate to be in Brazil , though some were line up in Mexico at an earlier particular date and the Chinese used them in the fourteenth century . However , the first mortal to document the discovery of the begonia was a Franciscan monk , Charles Plumier , who constitute sinewy begonia in Brazil in 1690 . He was on a hunting for medicative plants and name the plant after his favorite phytologist , Michel Begon , the governor of Haiti . Plumier passed away soon after the breakthrough and so the corroboration of the plant did not go further until the 1800s .
Begonias Spread to Europe and Beyond
In 1821 , begonia were find in dirt that was sent from Brazil to Berlin Botanical Gardens . Then , in 1856 , orchids were send from India to England and among the orchidaceous plant was a foreign plant with interesting patterned leaves – a Rex begonia . Later on , different varieties of the plant were found in the Andes Mountains . Richard Pierce documented most of them and found strange colors like yellowed , flushed and orangish .
Medicinal History
Begonias were used in shit practice of medicine China where they were use todisinfect wounds , stop swelling and ease the symptoms of a cold and broken stomach . In other areas of the creation the sap was used to block a toothache or cure kidney ailment . The flowers were used to ease burns .
Culinary History
Many different begonias have been used for food . Leaves were either cooked or eaten in the raw with flower . Tuberous begonia stems have a similar texture and flavor as rhubarb . Indonesian used begonias to make sauce over Pisces dishes . In China , Indonesia and Brazil the flowers were scattered in salad . The Chinese make Malva sylvestris with the Milk River curdle sap . begonia are a great source of vitamin C and they were used to prevent scurvy when citrus fruits were not available .
Modern Breeding
Begonias were always in the first place a wraith - loving plant but new breeding has make those that can also be implant in the sun . Flowers do in several people of color and leaves are bronze as well as immature . Many diversity have been breed to be tolerant to drought experimental condition . There is a type of begonia for just about any case of garden in today ’s market .
References
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