| Begonia rhoephila | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Cucurbitales |
| Family: | Begoniaceae |
| Genus: | Begonia |
| Species: | B. rhoephila |
| Binomial name | |
| Begonia rhoephila | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Begonia rhoephila, the stream begonia, or jungle stream begonia is a species of flowering plant in the family Begoniaceae, endemic to Peninsular Malaya. [1]
As the name suggests, B. rheophila is rheophytic, growing on rocks and boulders along the banks of stream and rivers. The leaves are thick, elongated, and (unlike most begonia species) symmetrical. These characteristics help it withstand strong currents during flooding. It grows primarily upstream, where there is less human pollution and habitat destruction. B. rheophila disperses seeds using a splash-cup; when water droplets land on the cup-shaped fruit, seeds are ejected and then distributed by the stream's current. [2]