History

• Begonias are native to Mexico, Asia, Africa, Central America and South America. During the 17th century in Brazil, a French botanist, Charles Plumier discovered fibrous begonias. Plumier named the flower species after a fellow botanist, the governor of the colony St. Domingo, Michel Begon. In 1777, the first begonia appeared in England.
  
  

Types

• The genus Begonia includes three main categories of begonias: tuberous begonia, fibrous begonia and rhizomatous begonia. Tuberous begonias are cultivated for their large showy flowers. Fibrous begonias develop small flowers with elegant, waxy, foliage in hues of bronze or green. Rhizomatous begonias have multicolored leaves with different patterns and designs. Among the genus Begonia are many species.
  
  

Uses

• Begonias have a long history of medicinal uses, such as treatment of colds and swelling, and disinfection of wounds. They are excellent sources of vitamin C. The leaves and flowers are used in cooking in China, Japan and Indonesia.