The Cucurbitales are an order of flowering plants, included in the rosid group of dicotyledons. This order mostly belongs to tropical areas, with limited presence in subtropic and temperate regions. The order includes shrubs and trees, together with many herbs and climbers. One major characteristic of the Cucurbitales is the presence of unisexual flowers, mostly pentacyclic, with thick pointed petals. The pollination is usually performed by insects, but wind pollination is also present.
Begonia is a genus of perennial flowering plants in the family Begoniaceae. The genus contains more than 2,000 different plant species. The Begonias are native to moist subtropical and tropical climates. Some species are commonly grown indoors as ornamental houseplants in cooler climates. In cooler climates some species are cultivated outside in summertime for their bright colorful flowers, which have sepals but no petals.
Begoniaceae is a family of flowering plants with two genera and about 1825 species occurring in the subtropics and tropics of both the New World and Old World. All but one of the species are in the genus Begonia. There have been many recent discoveries of species in the genus Begonia, such as Begonia truncatifolia which is endemic to San Vincente, Palawan. B. truncatifolia is smaller in size than other species of the genus Begonia and this new species is proposed Critically Endangered by standards set by the IUCN. The only other genus in the family, Hillebrandia, is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands and has a single species. Phylogenetic work supports Hillebrandia as the sister taxon to the rest of the family. The genus Symbegonia was reduced to a section of Begonia in 2003, as molecular phylogenies had shown it to be derived from within that genus. Members of the genus Begonia are well-known and popular houseplants.
Begonia grandis, the hardy begonia, is a species of flowering plant in the family Begoniaceae. This herbaceous perennial has alternate, simple leaves on arching stems. The flowers are pink or white, borne in dichotomously branching cymes from late summer through fall in USDA U.S. Hardiness Zone 7. As the common name "hardy begonia" implies, it is winter hardy in some temperate regions.
Begonia masoniana, the iron cross begonia, is a species of plant in the family Begoniaceae, native to southern China and northern Vietnam. It was originally described from cultivated plants of unknown origin and was only much later rediscovered in the wild. It is a rhizomatous perennial begonia growing to 0.5 metres (20 in), bearing large, asymmetrical, textured green leaves covered in reddish hairs, with a prominent dark brown pattern in the centre of each leaf, reminiscent of the German Iron Cross. It produces small white flowers in erect panicles, but is cultivated mainly for its foliage effect. In temperate regions it must be grown under glass, or in a completely frost-free environment. Although sometimes (incorrectly) considered a rex begonia, this species is classified in the related section Coelocentrum.
Begonia incarnata is a species of plant in the family Begoniaceae, native to Brazil. It is a shrublike evergreen perennial growing to 1 metre (39 in), bearing large, asymmetrical green leaves with a metallic sheen, and dark green veins. It produces small hairy pink flowers. As it does not tolerate temperatures below 10 °C (50 °F), in temperate regions it must be grown under glass.
Begonia cucullata, also known as wax begonia and clubed begonia, is a species of the Begoniaceae that is native to South American countries of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. A common garden plant and part of the section Begonia, it was described in 1805 by Carl Ludwig Willdenow (1765–1812). The specific epithet "cucullata" means "resembling a hood" or "hooded".
Begonia cabanillasii is a species of flowering plant in the family Begoniaceae, native to the island of Palawan in the Philippines.
Begonia carolineifolia, the palm leaf begonia, palmate begonia or hand begonia, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Begonia native to central and southern Mexico and northern Central America. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Begonia tonkinensis is a plant species in the family Begoniaceae. The species is part of the section Diploclinium. It was described in 1919 by François Gagnepain.
Begonia solimutata, the sun-changing begonia, is a species of flowering plant in the family Begoniaceae, native to Pará state in northern Brazil. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Begonia rajah is a species of flowering plant in the family Begoniaceae, native to Terengganu state, Peninsula Malaysia. It typically has striking bronze leaves and contrasting green veins, and is best suited for terrariums.
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. It is a parent to over 500 cultivars in the Begonia Rex Cultorum Group of houseplants. 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.
Begonia goegoensis, the fire-king begonia, is a species of flowering plant in the family Begoniaceae, native to Sumatra. In 1882 it was exhibited by Veitch and Sons and received a first class certificate from the Royal Horticultural Society. Valued for its striking red-backed leaves, it can be propagated from cuttings, although seeds may do better.
Begonia sanguinea, the beefsteak begonia or blood-red begonia, is a species of flowering plant in the family Begoniaceae, native to southern Brazil. Valued for the deep red color of the abaxial surface of their leaves, they are easy to propagate from cuttings.
Begonia sizemoreae is a species of flowering plant in the family Begoniaceae, native to Laos and Vietnam. It is popular in cultivation.
Begonia bogneri is a species of flowering plant in the family Begoniaceae, native to a single 1 ha locality on the Masoala Peninsula of Madagascar. Uniquely among begonias, it has linear, grass-like leaves. It does well in terrariums.
Begonia echinosepala is a species of flowering plant in the family Begoniaceae, native to southeastern Brazil. A bush reaching 6 ft (180 cm), it is infrequently offered in the nursery trade.
Begonia ulmifolia, the elm-leaf begonia, is a species of flowering plant in the family Begoniaceae. It is native to South America; Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, the Guianas, and eastern Brazil, and introduced to Mauritius, Réunion, and the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean. Cultivated for its ornamental foliage more than its flowers, it is suitable for green roofs in hot and humid areas.
