The Begonia plant is a member of the class of plants known as angiosperms. In basic terms, angiosperms are flowering plants.
There are many other important features of angiosperms, however, that anyone who is thinking of growing a Begonia plant should know about ahead of time.
Angiosperms have six basic characteristics: flowers, stamens with two pollen sacs, reduced male parts, closed carpel around the ovules, reduced female gaetophyte, and endosperm.
Flowers of angiosperms are the organs that are responsible for reproduction. Many other types of plants that are not angiosperms reproduce through seeds.
But flowering plants have actual reproductive organs that allow them a much greater degree of hybrids and other evolutionary advantages over seeding plants.
Angiosperms also have stamens with two pollen sacs and closed carpel around the ovules. The pollen sacs of the angiosperms and thee closed carpel around the ovules have developed over the years to prevent self-fertilization.
This is an important trait because it makes angiosperms have a greater diversity than those plants that engage in self-fertilization.
The reduction of the male parts, or the gametophyte, as well as the reduced female parts, are also advantages in the angiosperm reproduction. The smaller parts mean less time between pollination and fertilization.
The less time between these two stages means that the plants will seed much more quickly, thereby ensuring a continual development that the later seedings of other plants do not have.
The final important trait of an angiosperm plant is the development of the nourishing endosperm. Endosperm is a tissue which provides needed nutrition for the embryo and the seedlings of the angiosperm plants. This tissue typically develops just after fertilization takes place in angiosperm plants.
The begonia plant is one of the most well known and well loved of all angiosperm plants. As a result, the begonia enjoys a rich and diverse evolutionary heritage.
Trying to classify the begonia plant can be difficult. It is estimated that there are over one thousand of the species of the plant available. Still, for category purposes, there are primarily nine different styles of begonias plant available. These styles are tuberous begonias, semperflorens begonias, cane-like, rex begonias, hiemalis begonias, trailing-scandents, shrub-like begonias, elatior begonias, and thick-stemmed begonias.
The first of these, tuberous begonias, are known for their large blooms and grow well in shade, though they need to be protected from high winds.
Originating in Bolivia and Peru, the tuberous begonias perfer warm weather and are intolerant of frost. Likewise, however, they do not tolerate extremely hot weather.
The second grouping, semperflorens begonias, are also called wax or bedding begonias.
These types of begonias are often grown in large groups in home gardens, which works well to showcase their brilliance of colors. Semperflorens begonias come in a variety of colors, along with their bright green or bronze leaves.
The appearance of cane-like begonias isn't hard to determine. As their name suggests, these types of begonias are known for their long, stiff stem that gives the appearance of a cane.
They are plants that can be either potted or outside plants, though wherever you grow them, you should be aware that they can reach up to ten feet high. These begonias are also called "Angel Wing" or tree begonias.
Rex begonias are among the hardest plants to grow, because they require very specific growing environment. When it comes to humidity, rex begonias require a 69% humidity in order to grow, which is difficult for most casual gardeners to maintain.
Still, these plants produce a gorgeous foliage in the hands of the right gardener, and it is for this reason alone that many grow this fussier breed of begonias.
Hiemalis begonias, also called rieger or blush begonias, originate in New Zealand, where they make wonderful winter plants.
They are known for their soft colors of pinks and pastels. The biggest problem a gardener will have with hiemalis begonias is overwatering as this plant can be very susceptible to root rot.
Trailing-scandents are a fairly hardy style of begonia that can be grown either in hanging potted plants or outdoors. If grown outside, they make beautiful growing plants for your landscape.
Shrub-like begonias are well named, as they are small, bushy plants. They require a decent fertilizer to flower well, and despite their name, make excellent potted plants.
If you are looking for a begonia to flower throughout the year, the elatior begonia is your best bet. They will flourish particularly well if you make them a houseplant.
Thick-stem begonias are a small group that most do not know about, though they do make excellent houseplants. You'll need to allow them room to grow, however, as they can reach heights of six feet.
The begonia plant can be a well-loved and beautiful part of any garden or houseplant collection. Picking the right one to suit your growing environment, however, is the key to a successful begonia experience.
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