Chapter M: A. S. Salm-Dyck. Monographia generum Aloes et Mesembryanthemi (20)

Cultivation: For obtaining the best results, an open situation should be chosen, free from the shade of trees. The ground should be light and sandy, and, if possible, that which has been previously manured for some other crop, French beans, for instance. Trench the soil to a depth of 2ft. in the autumn, and ridge it up for the winter. As soon as dry enough to allow of working in spring, dig over the whole bed with a steel digging fork, and break the soil tolerably fine. Sow any time from the last week in April to the end of May. Prepare the drills about a foot or 15in. apart, and from 1in. to 2in. deep. The seeds grow quicker if steeped in water previous to sowing, afterwards allowing them to get dry enough to separate from each other. Sow thinly, and fill in the drills with a rake. As soon as the plants are up, hoe between the rows, and keep free from weeds. In a fortnight or three weeks after this hoeing, if the weather has been favourable, the plants will be large enough for thinning. Thin out to about 9in. apart, and carefully fill up, in dull weather, any blanks that may occur. Transplanting is, however, not generally a very satisfactory method. Carefully lift the roots in autumn, before frost comes, and wring off the leaves about an inch from the crowns. Place the roots in a cool shed or house, and allow the soil on them to get quite dry, when they may be stored for winter use in dry sand, or soil, in a shed free from frost. It is preferable to keep the crowns free from soil, to prevent decay from the ends of the leaves left on them. If this be carefully done, the roots will keep till the next season's early crop is ready. In all processes connected with the growing, storing, or cooking of this vegetable, the greatest care must be taken to avoid bruising or otherwise injuring the roots, as deficiency of colour would be the result, especially in the case of the red-fleshed kinds, in some cases rendering them valueless for table use. Seed Saving: When lifting the crop in autumn, select as many of the best formed and coloured roots as required, and store them separately from the rest. In April, plant them in a spot by themselves, where there is no danger of impregnation from other varieties, and in due time good seed will ripen. If good foliaged varieties are required, the best should be selected when growing in the summer, and either be marked by some means, or have the inferior ones removed from them.

_Sorts._ These are somewhat numerous--almost every seedsman having a so-called "improved strain." Nutting's Dwarf Red, Chelsea, Pine Apple, Dell's Crimson and Red Castelnaudary, are the best of the crimson or red-fleshed kinds. The Egyptian Turnip-rooted is a distinct variety, with flesh of a good colour, and fine flavour; excellent for summer salads. Betterave de Bretagne is a Continental variety; the roots grow to a good size, with a distinct outer skin of a dark colour; flesh rich purple. The best of the yellow-fleshed kinds are Small Yellow and Long Yellow (see Fig. 222); but these are not grown nearly so much as the deep-coloured section; in fact, they are almost useless for garden purposes.

_Beetroot for Bedding Purposes_: In this case, where the foliage is the main object, the seed may be sown in a reserve bed, and the plants transferred to their positions in the flower garden. If, however, a line is required in a ribbon or other border, the best plan is to sow there, and thin out the plants to equal distances. Dell's Crimson is one of the best varieties for this purpose, being very compact and of a good dark colour.

Varieties of the Leaf Beet (_Beta Cicla_), and Sea or Perennial Beet (_Beta maritima_), are sometimes, but very seldom, cultivated for the use of the leafstalks and leaves, the roots being hard and unfit for cooking purposes. They are at the best but substitutes for other vegetables--namely, the midrib for Sea-kale and the leaves for Spinach. If desired, seeds may be sown in the way described for Beetroot, in April for using in autumn and winter, and in August for spring use, plants of the latter sowing being protected in severe weather. The best sorts are Red-stalked, Yellow-stalked, and White (see Fig. 223) or Silver Leaf.

=BEET CARRION BEETLE= (_Silpha opaca_). This destructive insect is frequently found in dead animals, but often its grub almost destroys the leaves of Beet and Mangold Wurzel crops. The grubs, which are black and shining, when full grown are from 1/3in. to 1/2in. long; the three segments next the head are rounded at the sides, but the other segments are sharp, and the tail segment has a sharp spine on each side. "When full-fed, the grubs bury themselves, and form cells at the depth of 3in. or 4in. below the surface of the earth, in which they turn to pupæ, and from these the Beetle has been seen to come up in about the space of a fortnight or three weeks" (Ormerod). The Beetles are flattish, and about five lines long, brown-black, with a tawny down; eyes large and oval; horns club-shaped; body somewhat oval; wing-cases very flat, turned up at the outer edge, each case having three sharp ridges running along it; tip of abdomen dull red. Any manures or methods of cultivation that would stimulate growth in the plants, so as to permit renovation of injuries, would be found useful. If farmyard manure were applied to the soil intended for Beet _in the autumn_ instead of in spring, it would lessen the risk of attack to the Beets.

=BEETLES= (_Coleoptera_). Beetles form one of the most extensive orders of insects, there being upwards of 3000 known British species. They vary much in appearance, but a Beetle is readily recognised by its front wings, or elytra; these form a tough horny sheath or case, which lies over the real wings, and protects them when the insect is not flying. Sometimes, the elytra are very short (see Fig. 225); the mouth is fitted with jaws for cutting. The metamorphosis is complete, _i.e._, the larva or grub is very unlike either the quiescent pupa or the perfect insect. The period that elapses before Beetles arrive at their perfect state varies from a few weeks to two or three years, but is usually rather longer than in Butterflies or Bees. Various Beetles attack growing plants and roots. Thus, _Otiorhynchus sulcatus_ and _O. picipes_ attack Vines, Roses, and other plants, gnawing off the bark. Some species of Beetles attack Mushrooms, while others bore into the wood of old trees, or eat leaves (_e.g._ Turnip Fly), or burrow in the leaves, or form galls on roots (Cabbage-gall Weevil). Of some kinds, the beetles are hurtful; of others, the larvæ. Many kinds, however, are beneficial, such, for instance, as the common Ground Beetle (_Carabus_, Fig. 224), and the Devil's Coach Horse (_Ocypus olens_, Fig. 225). These live upon other insects and snails. One kind of Beetle--the Ladybird (see Figs. 226 and 227)--is very beneficial in a garden, as it preys upon the aphides, or plant lice. For instructions in dealing with the noxious kinds, _see_ =Asparagus Beetle=, =Bean Beetle=, =Beet Carrion Beetle=, =Click Beetle=, =Cockchafer=, =Lily Beetle=, =Rosechafer=, and =Turnip Fly=.

=BEET= or =MANGOLD FLY= (_Anthomyia betæ_). The maggots of this fly do considerable damage by feeding on the pulp of the Beet or Mangold leaves. The eggs are small, white, and oval, and are laid in small patches beneath the leaves; the maggots are about 1/3in. long, legless, cylindrical, and yellowish-white. As it is of such recent appearance in this country, specifics for its eradication are by no means numerous; but, according to Miss Ormerod, "the best treatment appears to be to nip it in the bud, where such treatment is possible, by destroying the infested plants, but generally by all means of good cultivation, or by special applications of artificial manure, to ensure a hearty growth, which may run the plants on past the power of average attacks to weaken the leafage to a serious extent."

=BEFARIA= (named in honour of Bejar, a Spanish botanist). ORD. _Ericareæ_. SYN. _Bejaria_. An elegant genus of greenhouse evergreen shrubs, closely allied to _Rhododendron_. Flowers bracteate; corolla very deeply seven-cleft, spreading. Leaves racemose or corymbose, crowded, quite entire, coriaceous. They thrive in a compost of peat and loam. Propagated by cuttings, made of the young wood, and placed in sandy soil, in gentle heat.

=B. æstuans= (glowing).* _fl._ purple; corymbs terminal, simple;
peduncles, pedicels, rachi, calyces, and branchlets clothed with
clammy glandular hairs. _l._ elliptic, rather glabrous above,
but downy and glaucous beneath, while young clothed with rusty
tomentum. Plant much branched; branchlets sub-verticillate. _h._
10ft. to 15ft. Peru, 1846. SYN. _Acunna oblonga_. (G. C. 1848, 119.)

=B. cinnamomea= (cinnamon-coloured). _fl._ purple; panicles close,
terminal; peduncles woolly, hispid. _l._ slightly downy above,
rusty tomentose beneath. Branches downy, hispid. _h._ 4ft. Peru,
1847.

=B. coarctata= (close-headed). _fl._ purple; corymbs terminal,
simple; peduncles, pedicels, rachi, and calyces clothed with rusty
tomentum. _l._ oblong, glabrous, glaucous beneath. Shrub much
branched. _h._ 4ft. to 5ft. Peru, 1847. (G. C. 1848, 175.)

=B. glauca= (glaucous).* _fl._ flesh-coloured; racemes terminal and
axillary; pedicels somewhat fastigiate. June. _l._ oblong, obtuse,
glaucous beneath. Shrub much branched; branchlets angular. _h._
3ft. to 6ft. South America, 1826.

=B. ledifolia= (Ledum-leaved).* _fl._ purple; racemes terminal;
peduncles, pedicels, rachi, branchlets, and calyces clothed with
clammy glandular hairs. _l._ oblong, somewhat mucronate, with
revolute edges, glaucous beneath, glandular. Shrub much branched;
branches purplish. _h._ 3ft. to 4ft. South America, 1847. (F. d. S.
3, 195.)

=B. racemosa= (racemed). _fl._ purple, disposed in racemose
terminal panicles. July. _l._ ovate-lanceolate, glabrous;
branchlets smooth or hispid. _h._ 3ft. to 5ft. Georgia, 1810.

=BEGONIA= (named after M. Begon, a French patron of botany). ORD. _Begoniaceæ_. A large genus of succulent herbs or undershrubs (a few climbers), in many of which the stem is reduced to a tuberous rhizome, whilst some are distinctly tuberous. Flowers usually showy and large, white, rose, scarlet, or yellow, unisexual; perianth segments petaloid, four to five divisions, rarely two. Stamens numerous, filaments free or united at the base. Ovary inferior, styles two to four, free, sometimes connate, stigmas brandied or twisted. Fruit capsular, rarely succulent, often winged. Seeds numerous, minute. Leaves alternate, more or less unequal-sided, entire, or lobed, or toothed. Flower-stalks axillary, cymose. Distribution: Species about 350, in all tropical moist countries, especially South America and India; not known in Australia. Cultivated species (exclusive of garden hybrids and varieties) about 150. A large number of genera, or what were considered as such are now merged in Begonia--viz., _Barya_, _Baryandra_, _Casparya_, _Pritzelia_, &c. The rich colours and beautiful form of the flowers of Begonias, their prettily-marked foliage, and free-growing, free-blooming nature, have long marked them out as favourite garden plants. Within the last twenty years a new race, characterised by a tuberous root-stock, annual herbaceous stem, and large handsome flowers, has been introduced from the Andes of South America, from which, by means of careful cross-fertilisation and selection, a large number of beautiful and almost hardy kinds have been raised. The size, substance, and rich colours of the flowers of the majority of the plants of this race of Begonias are witness to what may be done by skilful cultivation and careful cross-breeding among plants. In the same way the large-leaved, stemless section, of which _B. Rex_ may be taken as the type and principal progenitor, have been improved both in the size and the coloration of their foliage, and countless forms are now in cultivation, both as garden plants and for the decoration of rooms, &c. The propagation of Begonias may be accomplished by means of seeds, which are freely produced by almost all the cultivated kinds, by cuttings, by division of the rhizomes, and--in the case of the large-leaved kinds--by leaf-cuttings. For the first of these methods it is necessary that the seeds should be well ripened before they are gathered, and kept dry until sown. Where it is desired to increase any particular kind of garden origin, seeds are useless, none of the hybrid or seedling forms perpetuating themselves through their seeds, although equally beautiful sorts may be raised from them. The characters of all true species are, however, reproduced in their seedlings. For the successful raising of Begonia seeds it is necessary to sow them on pans or pots of well-drained, light, sandy soil, which should be well watered before the seeds are sown. The seeds should not be covered with soil, or they will fail to germinate. Over the pans a pane of glass should be placed, and they should then be stood in warm house or a frame where a temperature of about 65deg. can be maintained, and shaded from sunshine. As soon as the plantlets are large enough to be safely manipulated, they should be pricked off into pans of light leaf-mould soil, in which they may remain until large enough to be placed singly in pots. Cuttings: These strike freely if planted in small pots, in sand and leaf mould, and placed on a bottom heat of 70deg. Where large quantities are required, a bed of cocoa nut-fibre in a stove or propagating frame may be used, and in this the cuttings may be planted and remain until well rooted. Leaf cuttings succeed best when laid on sand or cocoa-nut fibre, and shaded from bright sunlight. In preparing the leaves, old, well-matured ones should be selected, and incisions made with a sharp knife across the principal nerves on the underside. They should then be placed on the sand or fibre and held down by means of a few pieces of crock. Under this treatment, bulbils will form on the lower ends of the nerves of each section of the leaf, and these, when large enough, may be removed from the bed and potted. With the exception of _B. Evansiana_ (_discolor_), an almost hardy species from North China, all the shrubby species require a warm or intermediate house for their cultivation, although during the summer months a frame or sheltered bed answers for most of them, provided they are removed into their warm winter quarters on the approach of cold weather. Some of the species, such as _B. Dregei_, _B. semperflorens_, _B. nitida_, _B. fuchsioides_, _B. Lindleyana_, _B. Richardsiana_, along with the hybrids _Ascotensis_, _Knowsleyana_, _Weltoniensis_, and _Ingramii_, are grown in pots out of doors all the summer, and under liberal treatment they form large handsome specimens, which are of great value as flowering plants for the conservatory in winter. The tuberous-rooted herbaceous kinds should be started in heat in February, and, when vigorous growth has commenced, be gradually hardened off, for use either as bedding plants or as pot specimens for flowering in the greenhouse. A mixture of loam and leaf mould with a little sand and rotten cow-dung is suitable for the cultivation of these plants in pots. Liberal supplies of water should be given during the growing season. As the growth decays, water should be withheld until finally the tubers may be shaken out of the soil and placed in dry sand or cocoa-nut fibre, in a house or shed where a temperature above freezing can be maintained. _B. gracilis_ and its varieties, _diversifolia_ and _Martiana_, are beautiful greenhouse plants, which thrive well if treated as advised for the other tuberous-rooted kinds, with the addition of a few more degrees of heat.

The _Rex_ section requires a light rich soil, plenty of moisture, and a shaded position in a warm greenhouse. These kinds are often employed with good effect for clothing peat-covered walls in ferneries, or as an undergrowth in large tropical houses. Large specimens have been grown under the stage in a warm house, the shade and moisture of such a position being exactly what they best delight in.

_B. socotrana_, an interesting species from the island of Socotra, is somewhat singular in its requirements. The stem is herbaceous and annual, and about its base a cluster of bulbils are formed, from every one of which a plant will be developed the following year. The growing season for this species is from September to March, after which it goes to rest for the whole summer. A tropical temperature and all the light possible, are essential to the well-doing of this plant.

It is interesting to note the apparent impossibility to cross any of the shrubby Begonias with the distinctly tuberous-rooted species; and even the species of the shrubby section, whose stems are semi-tuberous, have hitherto refused to commingle with the South American tuberous kinds, of which _B. Veitchii_, _B. rosæflora_, and _B. boliviensis_ may be said to be typical. The infusion of the blood of these large, handsome-flowered kinds into the tall, shrubby species, would almost certainly result in the production of a race of splendid winter-flowering greenhouse plants, and it is therefore in every way desirable that no pains should be spared to break through the obstacle to the union of the two races.

Explanation of contractions: T, tuberous-rooted; S, shrubby.

=B. acerifolia= (Acer-leaved). S. A tall-growing, thick,
succulent-stemmed species, with green, lobed, serrated foliage,
and large branching cymes of small white flowers; sepals of male
flowers hairy; styles three, two-horned. Capsule triangular, with
one of the angles prolonged into an obtuse wing. Spring. Quito,
1829.

=B. acuminata= (taper-pointed-leaved). S. A low shrubby species,
having semi-cordate, oblong, pointed leaves, with toothed margins,
and the nerves on the under side and the petiole pilose. _fl._
white, in cymes, nearly 1in. across. Capsule wings, two short, the
third 1/2in. long. Spring. Jamaica, 1798. (B. M. 4025.)

=B. acutifolia= (acute-leaved). S. A smooth-stemmed, semi-erect
species, 3ft. to 4ft. high, with cordate-oblong leaves, both sides
and petiole glabrous, the margins denticulate. _fl._ in cymes,
white and red, about 1in. in diameter. Capsule winged, one wing
twice as long as the others. Spring. Jamaica, 1816. SYN. _B.
purpurea_.

=B. acutiloba= (acute-lobed).* A species with thick fleshy
rhizomes, and palmate cordate leaves which are divided into five
to seven lobes, with toothed margins and pointed apices, under
side thinly covered with brown hairs. Flower-stalk tall, hairy,
surmounted by a branching head of rather large white flowers.
Summer. Mexico.

=B. albo-coccinea= (white and red).* Stemless, with a thick
root-stock. _l._ broadly ovate, peltate, entire, 3in. to 4in. long;
petiole 3in. to 6in., pubescent. Flower-scape 6in. to 9in. long.
_fl._ in dense cluster, bright rose on the outside, white within.
Capsule regularly triangular, with short wings. Summer. India,
1844. SYN. _B. Grahamiana_. (B. M. 4172.)

=B. alchemilloides= (Alchemilla-like). Stem fleshy, creeping.
_l._ rotundate, with toothed, undulate, ciliated margins and
short stalks. Flower-stem slender, few-flowered. _fl._ small,
rose-coloured. Summer. Brazil.

=B. amabilis= (lovely).* Stem creeping, fleshy, short. _l._ ovate,
crenulate, acuminate, about 6in. long, tomentose, dark green,
blotched with white, under side purple-red. Flower-stalk 9in.
long. _fl._ rose or white, in clustering cymes. Capsule irregular.
Summer. Assam, 1859. The foliage sometimes comes wholly green, but,
under good treatment, it is handsomely variegated.

=B. amœna= (pleasing).* Rhizome tuberous. Stem none, or very
short. _l._ 3in. by 2in.; leafstalk 3in. Flower-stem 6in. long,
few-flowered. _fl._ medium sized, pale rose. Capsule wings small,
nearly equal. Summer. North India, 1878. SYN. _B. erosa_.

=B. ampla= (large). S. Stem 1ft. to 2ft. high, very stout, woody.
_l._ long-stalked, 8in. to 10in. in diameter, broadly ovate,
cordate, pointed, when young densely covered with rusty stellate
down. _fl._ on short petioles, rose-coloured, 2in. wide. Fruit a
succulent berry, small. Summer. Guinea.

=B. aptera= (wingless). Stem herbaceous. _l._ heart-shaped,
pointed, shining green. _fl._ in short axillary cymes, white,
small. Capsule four-angled. Spring. Celebes, 1878.

=B. arborescens= (tree-like). S. A large growing species,
sometimes forming a bush 8ft. to 10ft. in height. _l._ pale green,
ear-shaped, 6in. long. _fl._ in large cymose clusters, white,
small. Summer. Brazil.

=B. argyrostigma= (silvery-spotted). Synonymous with _B. maculata_.

=B. Arnottiana= (Arnott's). Synonymous with _B. cordifolia_.

=B. asplenifolia= (Asplenium-leaved). S. A slender-stemmed,
beautifully cut-leaved species, the foliage of which is
pinnatisect, giving the plant the appearance of a Thalictrum rather
than a Begonia. _fl._ very small, white. Guinea.

=B. assamica= (Assam). Stem short, fleshy. _fl._ pinkish
flesh-colour. _l._ oblique ovate, olive-green, marbled with silvery
blotches above, and of a pale purplish-pink beneath; petioles pale
green, softly hairy. Assam, 1883.

=B. attenuata= (attenuated). Synonymous with _B. herbacea_.

=B. aucubæfolia= (Aucuba-leaved). Synonymous with _B. incarnata_.

=B. auriformis= (ear-formed). Synonymous with _B. incana_.

=B. barbata= (bearded). S. Stem short, hairy. _l._ toothed,
oval-shaped, pointed, hispid beneath, 4in. long. _fl._
medium-sized, white or pink; flower-stalk hairy. Capsule
equal-winged. Summer. India.

=B. Berkeleyi= (Berkeley's).* T. A garden hybrid, with thick,
fleshy stems, and long ear-shaped foliage. _fl._ in erect panicles,
rose-coloured. A useful winter-flowering kind.

=B. bipetala= (two-petaled). Synonymous with _B. dipetala_.

=B. biserrata= (doubly-serrated). S. Stem erect, branched, 2ft.
to 3ft. high. _l._ 6in. long, 2in. to 3in. wide, deeply lobed,
toothed, pale green. _fl._ in loose cymes, drooping, rose-coloured,
1-1/2in. wide, serrated edges. Capsule pilose, two short and one
long wings. Summer. Guatemala, 1847. (B. M. 4746.)

=B. boliviensis= (Bolivian).* T. Stem herbaceous, succulent, 2ft.
high, branching. _l._ lanceolate, pointed, serrate, 3in. to 5in.
long. _fl._ in drooping panicles, large, scarlet, males twice as
large as females. Capsule three-winged. Summer. Bolivia, 1857. (B.
M. 5657.)

=B. Bowringiana= (Bowring's). Synonymous with _B. laciniata_. (B.
M. 5657.)

=B. braziliana= (Brazilian). S. Stem erect, tall, succulent. _l._
oblique, ovate, toothed, slightly pubescent; principal nerves
brownish; stalk hairy. _fl._ white or rose, small, in short,
few-flowered cymes. Capsule wing 1/2in. long. Summer. Brazil.

=B. Bruantii= (Bruant's).* B. A garden hybrid between _B. Schmidti_
and _B. semperflorens_. _l._ green, with a brownish tint. _fl._
white or rose, in erect panicles. Summer, 1883. Used as a bedding
plant in summer.

=B. bulbifera= (bulb-bearing). Most likely a form of _B. gracilis_.

=B. caffra= (Kaffrarian). A variety of _B. Dregei_.

=B. carolineæfolia= (Carolinea-leaved). S. Stem erect, thick,
fleshy. _l._ palmate, curiously divided into six to eight long
ovate segments, each 6in. long. _fl._ in a dichotomous cyme, on
long stalk, rose-coloured, small. Capsule small, wings one longer
than others. Winter. Mexico, 1876. A singular-leaved species. (R.
G. 1-25.)

=B. Cathcartii= (Cathcart's). S. Caulescent. _l._ heart-shaped,
acute, glabrous; stalks of flowers and leaves hairy; flowers and
fruit as in _B. barbata_. Summer. India. SYN. _B. nemophila_. (C.
H. P. 13.)

=B. Chelsoni= (Chelsea).* T. A garden hybrid between _B. Sedeni_
and _B. boliviensis_. Stem fleshy, 2ft. high. _l._ oblique,
lance-shaped, irregularly lobed. _fl._ large, orange-red, drooping.
Summer, 1874.

=B. cinnabarina= (vermilion).* S. Stem erect, short, herbaceous.
_l._ 2in. to 4in. long, oblique, toothed; peduncles 6in. long,
few-flowered. _fl._ (male), medium, red; female flowers very small.
Summer. Capsule irregularly-winged. Bolivia, 1848. (B. M. 4483.)

=B. cinnabarina= (vermilion). A variety of _B. fuchsioides_.

=B. Clarkii= (Clarke's).* T. Stem purplish, fleshy, stout. _l._
oblique-cordate, serrate. _fl._ in pendulous racemes, abundant,
large, bright red, very handsome, nearly related to _B. Veitchii_.
Summer. Peru and Bolivia, 1867. (B. M. 5675.)

=B. coccinea= (red).* S. Habit suffruticose. Stem sub-erect, 1ft.
to 2ft. high, thick at the base. _l._ ovate-oblong, pointed;
margins undulate and toothed. _fl._ in pendulous racemes,
medium-sized; flowers and peduncles red. Capsule nearly regular;
wings short. Summer. Brazil, 1842. (B. M. 3990.)

=B. conchæfolia= (shell-leaved). Stem creeping, rhizomatous, thick.
_l._ peltate, ovate, 3in. to 5in. long, edges almost entire; under
side, along with leaf and flower-stalks, covered with ferruginous
hairs; scape 9in. long, erect, surmounted by corymb of small
whitish fragrant flowers. Capsule wings, one long, two short.
Autumn and winter. South America, 1852. SYNS. _B. scutellata_, _B.
Warscewiczii_. (R. B. 246.)

=B. corallina= (coral-flowered). S. Stem woody, branching,
sub-erect, brownish when matured. _l._ ovate-oblong, pointed,
undulate, smooth, dull green, under side purple. _fl._ in long
pendent racemes, numerous, medium-sized, bright coral-red. Summer.
Brazil (?), 1875. A rare species, and one of the handsomest of the
shrubby kinds, most likely closely related to _B. maculata_.

=B. cordifolia= (heart-shaped). T. Stemless; root-stock fleshy.
_l._ cordate, orbicular, toothed, 3in. wide, pilose above,
pubescent below; flower-scape 6in. long, dichotomous. _fl._
numerous, medium-sized. Capsule with three narrow wings. Winter.
Ceylon and India. SYN. _B. Arnottiana_.

=B. coriacea= (leathery).* T. Stem 6in. high, herbaceous. _l._
reniform, 5in. wide by 3in. long, smooth above, pilose below. _fl._
rose-coloured, large, in twos or threes on the end of an erect
scape, 8in. to 10in. long. Wings of capsule short, red. Summer.
Bolivia.

=B. coriacea= (leathery). Synonymous with _B. peltata_.

=B. crassicaulis= (thick-stemmed). Stem short, thick, articulated,
succulent. _l._ palmate; segments acuminate, toothed, under side
clothed with rusty down. _fl._ in many-flowered cymes, dipetalous,
white or rose-coloured, medium-sized. Capsule wings unequal. Near
to _B. heracleifolia_. Spring. Guatemala, 1841. (B. R. 28, 44.)

=B. crinita= (hairy).* S. Stem 1ft. high, fleshy, bright red, more
or less hairy. _l._ ovate-cordate; margins toothed, dark green;
petiole red and hairy, like the stems. _fl._ in lax, branching
cymes, rose-coloured, 1-1/2in. in diameter. Fruit three-winged, one
long and acute, two short and rounded. Spring. Bolivia, 1870. (B.
M. 5897.)

=B. cucullata= (hooded). A variety of _B. semperflorens_.

=B. dædalea= (adorned).* Stem short, thick, succulent. _l._ large,
green, thickly covered with a close network of russet-brown,
scarlet when young; edges pilose. _fl._ white and rose, in loose
panicles. Mexico, 1860. A handsome foliaged plant. (I. H. 1861,
269.)

=B. Daveauana.= _See_ =Pellionia Daveauana=.

=B. Davisii= (Davis's).* T. stemless, _l._ springing directly from
root-stock, ovate-cordate, shining green, slightly hairy, underside
red; petiole short, fleshy. Flower-scapes, pedicels, and flowers
bright red; scape 4in. high, bearing half a dozen flowers in umbel.
Capsule three-winged, one long, two very short. Summer. Peru, 1876.
A handsome tuberous-rooted species, dwarf. See Fig. 228, for which
we are indebted to Messrs. Veitch and Sons. (B. M. 6252.)

=B. dichotoma= (branching). S. Stem tall, stout, fleshy. _l._ 5in.
long by 4in. wide, lobed, dull green. _fl._ white, on long axillary
scapes, numerous. Winter. 1860.

=B. Digswelliana= (Digswell's). Stem short, semi-decumbent, large,
green; margins red. _fl._ on long, erect scapes, pale pink, small,
numerous. Useful for winter flowering purposes. A garden hybrid.
(F. M. 236.)

=B. dipetala= (two-petaled). Stems springing from a fleshy
root-stock, erect, 18in. high, brown. _l._ half heart-shaped;
margins toothed, upper surface thickly spotted with white, under
side red. _fl._ in loose axillary cymes, two-petaled, large, pink.
Capsule equal-winged. Spring. India, 1828. A handsome species. (B.
M. 2849.) SYN. _B. bipetala_.

=B. discolor= (two-coloured). Synonymous with _B. Evansiana_.

=B. diversifolia= (diverse-leaved). A variety of _B. gracilis_.

=B. Dregii= (Drege's).* Rootstock fleshy. Stems succulent; annual,
1ft. high. _l._ oblique, thin, green, slightly spotted with
grey, reddish on the under side. _fl._ white, about 1in. across,
in axillary cymes. Capsule three-winged, one much longer than
the other two, and acute-pointed. Summer. Cape, 1840. SYNS. _B.
caffra_, _B. reniformis_.

=B. echinosepala= (spiny-sepaled).* Stem green, succulent, 18in.
high. _l._ small, obliquely-oblong, serrulate. _fl._ on axillary
peduncles, white, with curiously papillose sepals. Summer. Brazil,
1872. (R. G. 707.)

=B. elliptica= (elliptic). Synonymous with _B. scandens_.

=B. erecta multiflora= (erect, many-flowered). _fl._ bright
reddish-pink, produced for several months, but especially during
the winter. _l._ oblique, deep bronze coloured, very conspicuous.
A decidedly handsome and very useful garden variety.

=B. erosa= (bitten). Synonymous with _B. amœna_.

=B. Evansiana= (Evans's).* T. Stem herbaceous, branching, smooth,
2ft. high. _l._ oblique, ovate-acute, sub-cordate, lobed; margins
denticulate, green above, under side and petioles deep red;
flower-stalks branching, axillary. _fl._ numerous, flesh-coloured,
large. Capsule wings blunt-pointed, one longer than the others.
Summer. Java, China, Japan, 1812. A handsome species, and almost
hardy. SYNS. _B. discolor_, _B. grandis_. (B. M. 1473.)

=B. eximia= (excellent).* A hybrid, raised from _B. rubro-venia_
and _B. Thwaitesii_. Stem short, succulent. _l._ bronzy-purple,
tinged with red. A handsome foliage plant. (I. H. 1860, 233.)

=B. falcifolia= (sickle-leaved).* S. Stem 1ft. to 2ft. high, erect,
branching. _l._ 6in. long, 1-1/2in. wide, curved, tapering to a
narrow point; margins toothed, upper surface green, more or less
spotted with white, under side deep red. _fl._ on short axillary
peduncles, drooping, dipetalous, bright red. Wings of capsule
equal, 1/2in. wide. Summer. Peru, 1868. A pretty flowering plant.
(B. M. 5707.)

=B. ferruginea= (rust-coloured). S. Stem woody, erect, smooth
branching, covered with ferruginous hairs. _l._ oblique,
ovate-acute, acuminate, lobed; margins toothed. _fl._ in branching
cymes, large red. Capsule unequal-winged. Summer. Bogota. SYN. _B.
magnifica_.

=B. Fischeri= (Fischer's). Similar to _B. falcifolia_, except that
the foliage is unspotted, and the flowers are white and small.
Brazil, 1835. (B. M. 3532.)

=B. foliosa= (leafy).* S. Stem slender, branching, fleshy.
_l._ small, ovate-oblong, dark green, numerous, distichous on
stems. _fl._ small, numerous, white, tinged with pink. Summer.
New Grenada, 1868. Useful for growing hanging baskets. SYN. _B.
microphylla_. (Ref. B. 222.)

=B. frigida= (frigid). S. Stem 1ft. high, smooth, green, succulent.
_l._ cordate, acuminate, lobed, serrated, slightly pilose; upper
side coppery-green, beneath deep rose-red, especially upon the
veins. _fl._ small, white, in erect branching cymes. Capsule wings
two long, one short. Summer. Country unknown, 1860. (B. M. 5160.)

=B. Frœbeli= (Frœbel's).* T. Stemless. _l._ numerous, cordate,
acuminate, green, covered with purplish-velvety hairs. _fl._ in
tall, lax, drooping, branching cymes, brilliant scarlet, large.
Winter. Ecuador, 1872. A beautiful flowering plant, useful for
conservatory work in winter. (Garden, pl. 96.)

=B. fuchsioides= (Fuchsia-like).* S. Stem tall, drooping,
herbaceous, smooth, green, tinged with red. _l._ copious,
distichous, 1-1/2in. long, oblong-ovate, slightly falcate,
serrated, smooth; margins tinged with red. _fl._ in branching
pendulous panicles, numerous, rich, deep scarlet. Capsule wings
two very short and one long. Summer. New Grenada, 1846. A handsome
greenhouse plant, useful for covering pillars, &c. SYN. _B.
miniata_. (B. M. 4281.)

=B. f. miniata= (vermilion). _l._ smaller than in type. _fl._
cinnabar red. (F. d. S. 8, 787.)

=B. gemmipara= (bud-bearing). S. Stem 1ft. high, from a tuberous
root-stock, succulent, _l._ ovate-acuminate, cordate, lobed, smooth
above, pilose below. _fl._ medium-sized, white, or with rose
stripes, on pendulous, axillary peduncles; sometimes the peduncles
bear, instead of flowers, quadrangular cups, which are closely
packed with oblong viviparous bulbils. Summer. Himalaya. (C. H. P.
14.)

=B. geranifolia= (Geranium-leaved).* Rootstock tuberous. Stem 1ft.
high, erect, angular, succulent, green, with a purplish tinge,
branched dichotomously. _l._ cordate, cut into unequal serrated
lobes, green; margins red, whole plant perfectly smooth; peduncles
terminal, bearing two to three flowers, which are inclined,
drooping while in bud; outer petals orbicular, red, the two inner
obovate, waved white. Summer. Lima, 1833. (B. M. 3387.)

=B. geranioides= (Geranium-like).* T. Rootstock fleshy. Stemless.
_l._ radical, somewhat reniform, lobed, serrated; surface scabrid,
deep green; leafstalks red, hairy. _fl._ white, in lax, drooping
panicle. Summer. Natal, 1866. A pretty, though delicate, species.
(B. M. 5583.)

=B. glandulosa= (glandular-leaved).* Stem a stout rhizome, scaly.
Leafstalks thick, terete, erect, hairy, 9in. high. _l._ 6in. broad,
fleshy, cordate, lobed, green; veins dark. _fl._ on tall, dark,
erect scapes, numerous, greenish-white. Capsule wings, one very
large, blunt. Costa Rica, 1854. SYNS. _B. hernandiæfolia_, _B.
nigro-venia_. (B. M. 5256.)

=B. gogoensis= (Gogoan).* _l._ peltate, ovate-orbicular, oblique,
acute when young, with a bronzy metallic hue, ultimately
changing to a deep velvety-green, intersected by the paler
midribs and veins; the under surface deep red. _fl._ pale rose,
in a lax panicle. Gogo, in Sumatra, 1881. A very handsome,
ornamental-foliaged species.

=B. gracilis= (slender).* T. Stem erect, unbranched, very
succulent, _l._ thinly scattered along stems, half heart-shaped,
slightly hairy, lobed, denticulate-ciliate. _fl._ on short axillary
peduncles; umbel of few male and female flowers, two larger petals
serrate, colour pink. Capsule winged, green. Mexico, 1829. In
axils of leaves between stipules a cluster of bulbils are borne;
these may be gathered and sown as seeds. This and its varieties,
_annulata_, _diversifolia_, _Martiana_, &c., are beautiful summer
flowering greenhouse Begonias, requiring a sandy peat soil and
shade. When well grown, they are exceedingly ornamental. (B. M.
2966.)

=B. Grahamiana= (Graham's). Synonymous with _B. albo-coccinea_.

=B. grandiflora= (large-flowered). Synonymous with _B. octopetala_.

=B. grandis= (great). A variety of _B. Rex_.

=B. grandis= (great). Synonymous with _B. Evansiana_.

=B. grandis= (great). Synonymous with _B. vitifolia_.

=B. Griffithii= (Griffith's). Stemless; rhizome subterraneous.
_l._ large, obliquely-cordate; margin crenate, hairy; surface
granulated, colour a dark green; margin purple, zoned with grey,
under side green, centre and margin deep purple. _fl._ on cymes,
large, white internally, outside tinged with blush, slightly
pilose. Capsule tubercled, one wing large, projecting. Winter.
India, 1856. (B. M. 4984.)

=B. Hasskarlii= (Hasskarl's). Synonymous with _B. peltata_.

=B. heracleifolia= (cow-parsnip leaved). Rootstock thick, fleshy.
_l._ radical, on long pilose stalks, palmate, large, bronzy
green; margins toothed, hairy. Flower-stalks long, stout, erect,
hairy, many-flowered. _fl._ rose-coloured. Capsule wings nearly
equal. Spring. Mexico, 1831. This and the following varieties are
handsome both in foliage and flowers. SYNS. _B. jatrophæfolia_, _B.
punctata_, _B. radiata_. See Fig. 229. (B. M. 3444.)

=B. h. longipila= (long-haired). _l._ greyish in middle; outer
portions dark bronzy, blotched with green. Whole plant covered with
long, stiff, fleshy hairs. _fl._ as in the type.

=B. h. nigricans= (dark). This differs from the type in having
foliage of a blackish tint all round the margins of the lobes, and
the petals of the flowers nearly white. (B. M. 4983.)

=B. h. punctata= (dotted). _l._ green, reddish near margin. _fl._
rose-colour, with deep red spots on the outside.

=B. herbacea= (herbaceous).* Rhizome creeping. _l._ oblong-acute,
lanceolate, toothed, ciliated. Flower-stalks shorter than leaves;
male flowers in a cymose head, white, small; female flowers
solitary, on very short stalks. Spring. Brazil, 1873. A small
species, very succulent, with the appearance of a primrose when not
in flower. SYN. _B. attenuata_. (G. C. 1873, 679.)

=B. hernandiæfolia= (Hernandia-leaved). Synonymous with _B.
glandulosa_. (Seemann.)

=B. hernandiæfolia= (Hernandia-leaved). Synonymous with _B.
nelumbiifolia_. (Gardens.)

=B. hernandiæfolia= (Hernandia-leaved). Synonymous with _B.
peltata_. (B. M. 4676.)

=B. hirsuta= (hairy). Synonymous with _B. humilis_.

=B. Hookeri= (Hooker's). A variety of _B. semperflorens_.

=B. Hookeriana= (Hooker's). S. Stem woody, 5ft. to 6ft. high,
branching, covered with minute rusty tomentum. _l._ ovate, unequal
sided, blunt, 8in. long, tomentose, like the stem. _fl._ in
axillary cymes, small, white. Spring. Brazil, 1850.

=B. humilis= (dwarf).* Stem erect, fleshy, hairy. _l._
semicordate-oblong, acuminate, ciliate-serrate, hairy above, smooth
beneath. _fl._ few, in cymes, small, white. Capsule unequal winged.
Summer. Trinidad, 1788. Annual. SYN. _B. hirsuta_.

=B. humilis= (dwarf). Synonymous with _B. suaveolens_. (B. R. 294.)

=B. hybrida floribunda= (many-flowered).* A very beautiful summer
blooming hybrid between _B. fuchsioides_ and _B. multiflora_. _fl._
bright rose, medium sized, produced in abundance. Summer. One of
the best.

=B. hydrocotylifolia= (Penny-wort-leaved).* Stem succulent, short,
creeping. _l._ rotundate cordate, almost equal-sided; petiole
short. Whole plant hairy. Flower-stalks 1ft. high, pilose. _fl._
in cymose head, medium-sized, dipetalous, rose-coloured, as also
are pedicels and stalk. Capsule wings equal-sized, large. Summer.
Mexico, 1841. (B. M. 3968.)

=B. h. asarifolia= (Asarum-leaved). Leaves and flowers smaller than
in the type, the latter white. Mexico.

=B. imperialis= (imperial).* Stem rhizomatous, short, thick.
_l._ large, broad, ovate-acute, cordate, rugose, hairy, dark
olive-green; nerves banded with greyish-green colour. _fl._ in
cymes, white, medium-sized. _fr._ unequal winged. Mexico, 1861. A
handsome foliage species. (I. H. 1860, 262.)

=B. i. smaragdina= (emerald-like). _l._ shining emerald green.

=B. incana= (hoary). Stem erect, fleshy, tomentose. _l._ leathery,
peltate, oblong-acute, sub-angular, whitish beneath. Flower-stalks
long. _fl._ in small downy panicles, white. Winter. Mexico, 1840.
SYN. _B. auriformis_.

=B. i. auriformis= (ear-like). _l._ divided at the base, not
peltate. _fl._ glabrous.

=B. incarnata= (fleshy).* S. Stem erect, fleshy, 2ft. high, smooth;
nodes swollen, reddish, spotted. _l._ on short, smooth petioles,
unequally cordate, acuminate, sinuately-serrate, green. _fl._
large, rose-coloured, handsome; peduncles terminal, nodding.
Capsule with unequal wings, the largest acute. Winter. Mexico,
1822. SYNS. _B. aucubæfolia_, _B. insignis_, _B. Lindleyana_. (B.
M. 2900.)

=B. i. maculosa= (spotted). _l._ spotted with white.

=B. i. metallica= (metallic-leaved). _l._ with a bronzy-purple
metallic lustre.

=B. i. papillosa= (papillose). Foliage margined with bright rose;
upper surface covered with little papillæ. (B. M. 2846.)

=B. i. purpurea= (purple-leaved). Foliage deep bronzy-purple.

=B. Ingramii= (Ingram's).* A garden hybrid, raised at Frogmore
in 1849, from _B. fuchsioides_ and _B. nitida_. It combines the
characters of the two parents. A useful winter-flowering plant; may
be grown out of doors in summer. (G. M. B., p. 153.)

=B. insignis= (remarkable). Synonymous with _B. incarnata_.

=B. involucrata= (involucrate). S. Stem erect, tall, angular,
covered with a reddish tomentum. _l._ oblique, ovate-acuminate,
cordate; margins toothed and ciliate. _fl._ enclosed in a wrapper,
or involucre, when young; peduncles graceful, bearing umbel of
white, largish flowers. Capsule wings unequal, the largest falcate.
Winter. Central America.

=B. jatrophæfolia= (Jatropha-leaved). Synonymous with _B.
heracleifolia_.

=B. Josephi= (Joseph's). Stemless. _l._ radical, on petioles 6in.
to 10in. long, ovate-acuminate, three-lobed, or orbicular, with
numerous acute lobes, slightly pubescent; scape 1ft., branched.
_fl._ small, rose-coloured. Capsule wings unequal; upper margins
horizontal. Summer. Himalaya.

=B. Kunthiana= (Kunth's).* S. Stem erect, smooth, slender,
purple-brown. _l._ on short petioles, lance-shaped, acuminate,
regularly serrated, smooth, dark green above, bright crimson below.
_fl._ axillary, on short nodding peduncles, white, large, handsome.
Summer. Venezuela, 1862. A pretty species. (B. M. 5284.)

=B. laciniata= (cut-leaved).* Rhizome thick, fleshy. Stem short,
thick, jointed, reddish, woolly. _l._ large, 6in. to 10in. long,
4in. to 6in. broad, unequally cordate; margins irregularly cut,
serrated; upper side green, under dull, rufous. _fl._ on short
axillary peduncles, large, white, tinted with rose. Capsule wings,
one very long, others short. Spring. Nepaul to Birma, South China,
1858. SYN. _B. Bowringiana_. (B. M. 5182.)

=B. Leopoldi= (Leopold's). A hybrid from _B. Griffithii_ and _B.
splendida_, with large variegated foliage. 1858.

=B. Lindleyana= (Lindley's).* S. Stem erect, fleshy, covered with
ferruginous hairs. _l._ on long petioles, peltate, ovate, acute,
5in. to 6in. long, 3in. to 4in. wide, irregularly lobed, toothed,
green above, tomentose below. _fl._ on branching peduncles, medium
sized, white. Winter. Guatemala.

=B. Lindleyana= (Lindley's). A garden synonym of _B. incarnata_.
(Gardens.)

=B. longipes= (long-stalked). S. Stem 3ft. or more high,
stout, succulent, furrowed, covered with glands. _l._ large,
rotundate-cordate; margin irregular, serrated, both sides green,
pubescent when young. _fl._ numerous, small, white; peduncle 1ft.
long, branched. Winter. Colombia, 1829. (B. M. 3001.)

=B. longipila= (long-haired). A variety of _B. heracleifolia_.

=B. lucida= (shining). Synonymous with _B. scandens_.

=B. Lynchiana= (Lynch's). S. Stem erect, tall, succulent, smooth.
_l._ fleshy, 10in. long, oblique, ovate-cordate, crenulate, green,
smooth. _fl._ axillary, in drooping cymes, numerous, large, deep
reddish-crimson. Winter. Mexico, 1880. One of the finest of the
tall-growing winter-flowering species. When well managed, the
flower-heads are almost a foot in diameter. SYN. _B. Roezlii_, of
gardens. (B. M. 6758.)

=B. maculata= (spotted).* S. A woody shrub. Stems branching,
smooth. _l._ oblique, ovate-oblong, leathery, slightly undulate;
margins entire, under side bright crimson, above green, with
numerous large round blotches of silvery white. _fl._ in drooping
panicles, coral-like, handsome. Capsule with one long, narrow wing.
Summer. Brazil, 1821. (B. R. 666.) There are numerous varieties
of this species, some with leaves almost green, others with the
markings more striking than in the type; in the flowers they differ
also, ranging from white to coral-red. The beautiful _B. corallina_
is probably a variety of this. SYN. _B. argyrostigma_. See Fig. 230.

=B. magnifica= (magnificent).* S. Stem erect, fleshy, smooth. _l._
ovate, unequal sided, toothed. _fl._ in terminal, cymose panicles,
rosy-carmine, 1-1/2in. long. New Grenada, 1870. (R. H. 1870, 271.)

=B. magnifica= (magnificent). Synonymous with _B. ferruginea_.

=B. malabarica= (Malabar).* Stem thick, succulent, 2ft. high,
branching. _l._ numerous, cordate, acute, unequal-sided, crenate or
serrate, hairy above and sometimes below, or altogether glabrous,
spotted white. _fl._ rose-coloured; peduncles axillary, short,
few-flowered. Capsule wings equal, joined above and below. Summer.
Malabar and Ceylon, 1828. _B. dipetala_ is made a variety of this,
by Sir Joseph Hooker, in "Flora of British India." (L. B. C. 1730.)

=B. manicata= (tunicated).* Stem fleshy, twisted, short. _l._
oblique, ovate-acute, cordate, dentate-ciliate, smooth on both
sides, shining green nerves on under side, with fleshy, scale-like
hairs. _fl._ pink, dipetalous, in branching cymes; upper portion of
stalk scaly. Capsule wings nearly equal. Winter. Mexico, 1842. See
Fig. 231.

=B. Manni= (Mann's). S. Stem succulent, 2ft. to 3ft. high,
branched, green; branchlets, young parts, petioles, and leaf-nerves
clothed with rusty, furfuraceous pubescence. _l._ petioled, 5in.
long, 2in. wide, lanceolate, cordate, acuminate, toothed. _fl._
numerous, rose-red, in axillary cymes; peduncle 1in. long. Capsule
linear, densely tomentose. Winter. Fernando Po, 1862. (B. M. 5434.)

=B. marmorea= (spotted). A variety of _B. xanthina_.

=B. Martiana= (Martin's). A variety of _B. gracilis_.

=B. maxima= (large).* Rhizome thick, hairy, creeping. _l._ large,
oblique, orbicular-ovate, cordate, shortly acuminate; margins
denticulate ciliate; petiole long, pilose. _fl._ in branching
cymes; sepals orbicular, pilose on the outside, white. Summer.
Mexico, 1853.

=B. megaphylla= (large-leaved).* Stem short, thick, fleshy. _l._
large, palmate, cordate; lobes numerous, pointed; margins hairy,
under side slightly pilose; nerves with scaly hairs. _fl._ in
diffuse cymes, small, white; peduncles pilose. Capsule wings wide.
Winter. Mexico.

=B. metallica= (metallic). A variety of _B. incarnata_.

=B. Meyeri= (Meyer's). S. Stem erect, stout, woody when mature.
_l._ large, broadly and obliquely ovate, fleshy, pale green; margin
sinuate, under side tinged with rose; both petiole and blade
covered with short hairs. _fl._ on long axillary peduncles, in
large paniculate heads, white. Capsule wings equal. Summer. Brazil,
1844. (B. M. 4100.)

=B. microphylla= (small-leaved). Synonymous with _B. foliosa_.

=B. microptera= (small-winged). Stem 1ft. high, terete, green,
pubescent, as in the rest of the plant. Branches few. _l._
sub-distichous, 4in. to 6in. long, ovate-lanceolate, acuminate,
serrated, dark green; petiole short; stipules as long as petiole.
_fl._ in terminal panicles, medium-sized, white, tinted rose.
Capsule long, triangular, two angles wingless, the other with a
narrow wing. Winter. Borneo, 1856. (B. M. 4974.)

=B. miniata= (vermilion). A variety of _B. fuchsioides_.

=B. monoptera= (single-winged).* Stem erect, 1ft. to 2ft. high,
rounded, swollen at the joints, dull red, papillose and downy.
Radical leaves on long red stalks, large, reniform, truncate at
the base; caulescent leaves smaller, on short petioles, angled,
crenate, dark green above, red below, and minutely papillose. _fl._
on an elongated terminal raceme, white. Capsule three-angled, two
wingless, the other with a long pointed wing. Summer. Brazil, 1826.
A distinct and pretty species. (B. M. 3564.)

=B. Moritziana= (Moritz's). Synonymous with _B. scandens_.

=B. natalensis= (Natal).* T. Rootstock thick, fleshy. Stem 1-1/2ft.
high, succulent, thick at the base, articulate, branched, smooth.
_l._ unequal, semicordate, acuminate, lobed, toothed, spotted
with white. _fl._ on axillary cymose peduncles, pale rose. _fr._
three-winged, two large, one small. Winter. Natal, 1855. (B. M.
4841.)

=B. nelumbiifolia= (Nelumbium-leaved).* Rhizome thick, fleshy,
creeping. _l._ on long hairy petioles; blade 12in. to 18in. long,
8in. to 12in. wide, peltate, hairy on under side; scape 1ft.
to 2ft. high. _fl._ in cymose head, numerous, small, white or
rose coloured. Winter. Mexico. A noble-foliaged plant. SYN. _B.
hernandiæfolia_.

=B. nemophila.= Synonymous with _B. Cathcartii_.

=B. nigro-venia= (black-veined). Synonymous with _B. glandulosa_.

=B. nitida= (shining).* S. Stem 4ft. to 5ft. high, erect, branched,
woody when aged, smooth, shining. _l._ large, glossy, green on
both sides, obliquely ovate, acute, crenated at margin. _fl._
in terminal and axillary panicles, numerous, large, deep rose,
handsome. Capsule three-winged, one much larger than others.
Jamaica, 1777. One of the best winter, and almost a perpetual,
flowering species. SYNS. _B. obliqua_, _B. pulchra_, _B. purpurea_.
(B. M. 4046.)

=B. obliqua= (oblique). Synonymous with _B. nitida_.

=B. octopetala= (eight-petaled).* T. Stemless. _l._ on long
succulent downy petioles, 1-1/2ft. or more in length, cordate,
6in. long, deeply lobed and serrated at the margin, bright green;
scape as long as petioles, rounded, downy. _fl._ in corymbs,
greenish-white, males with eight petals, females generally fewer.
Capsule three-angled, two wings almost suppressed, the other
1in. long; apex blunt, toothed. Autumn. Peru, 1835. SYN. _B.
grandiflora_. (B. M. 3559.)

=B. odorata= (sweet-scented). Synonymous with _B. suaveolens_.

=B. opuliflora= (Guelder-rose-flowered).* S. Stem 1ft. high,
branching, smooth. _l._ ovate oblong-acuminate, toothed, smooth
above, hairy below. _fl._ white, in compact umbels, on erect
scapes. Spring. New Grenada, 1854.

=B. Ottoniana= (Otton's). A hybrid from _B. conchæfolia_ and _B.
coriacea_. (R. G. 1859, p. 15.)

=B. papillosa= (papillose). A variety of _B. incarnata_.

=B. Pearcei= (Pearce's).* T. Stem 1ft. high, succulent, branching.
_l._ lance-shaped, cordate, pointed, toothed, glabrous above,
tomentose beneath, and pale red. _fl._ in loose axillary panicles,
large, bright yellow. Summer. Bolivia, 1865. Interesting because
of its being one of the progenitors of the handsome race of garden
tuberous Begonias.

=B. peltata= (shield-like). Stem short, tomentose; leaves 6in.
by 4in., peltate, ovate, densely pilose. _fl._ in branching
cyme, small, white; peduncle 6in. to 9in., pilose. Brazil, 1815.
Interesting because of its distinctly peltate foliage and silvery
appearance of whole plant. SYNS. _B. coriacea_, _B. Hasskarlii_,
_B. hernandiæfolia_, _B. peltifolia_.

=B. peltifolia= (peltate-leaved). Synonymous with _B. peltata_.

=B. phyllomaniaca= (proliferous-stemmed). S. Stem thick, fleshy,
rather twisted, green, hairy, clothed, when old, with small
viviparous buds bearing small leaves, by which means the plant may
be multiplied. _l._ ovate, acuminate, cordate, sinuately lobed,
ciliate, smooth above and below. _fl._ in axillary cymes, drooping,
pale rose. Capsule with one large wing. Winter. Guatemala, 1861.
(B. M. 5254.)

=B. picta= (ornamented).* T. Stem generally smooth, succulent,
6in. to 12in. high. _l._ ovate acuminate, nearly equally cordate,
serrated, hairy above and on the nerves below, sometimes
variegated. _fl._ pale rose, large, handsome; peduncle hairy,
erect, short, few-flowered. Autumn. Himalaya, 1870. (S. E. B. 101.)

=B. platanifolia= (plane-leaved).* S. Stem 5ft. to 6ft. high,
erect, robust, smooth, green; joints annulated. _l._ 8in. to 10in.
in diameter, reniform, lobed, hispid on both sides, dark green;
lobes acute, toothed, ciliated. _fl._ in axillary, dichotomous
cymes, large, white, tinted rose, handsome. Summer. Brazil, 1834.
(B. M. 3591.)

=B. polypetala= (many-petaled). Stem about 1ft. high, covered with
a soft whitish tomentum. _l._ ovate-acute, toothed, pubescent
above, and densely tomentose below. _fl._, petals nine or ten,
of a fine red colour, smooth, external ones ovate-oblong,
pointed; internal ones somewhat shorter and narrower; sepals two,
ovate-elliptic. Capsule tomentose, three-winged, with one wing
larger, ascendent. Winter. Andes of Peru, 1878. See Fig. 232.
(Garden, Dec. 14, 1878.)

=B. prestoniensis= (Preston).* A garden hybrid between _B.
cinnabarina_ and _B. nitida_. _l._ green, lobed, glabrous. _fl._
brilliant orange-red, in drooping axillary cymes, very fragrant.
Autumn and winter. 1867. (G. M. B. 3, 149.)

=B. prismatocarpa= (prism-fruited).* Stems small, creeping, hairy;
branchlets ascending. _l._ long, petioled, also hairy, obliquely
cordate, ovate, three to five-lobed; lobes pointed, serrated;
peduncles axillary, longer than foliage, bearing a small umbel of
two to four dipetalous orange and yellow flowers, one female in
each umbel. Capsule four-angled, scarcely winged. Summer. Tropical
West Africa, 1861. The smallest of cultivated Begonias, and
especially interesting because of its four-angled fruit. It forms
a pretty cushion of bright shining green foliage, thickly studded
with its brightly coloured flowers. Requires a stove temperature
and a stony soil. (B. M. 5307.)

=B. pruinata= (frosted).* Stem short, thick, fleshy, smooth. _l._
large, peltate, ovate, angular-sinuate, minutely-toothed; surface
smooth, glaucous; margins pilose, on stout, fleshy petioles. _fl._
in large dense dichotomous, or small cymes, white. Winter. Central
America, 1870. (R. B. 247.)

=B. pulchra= (fair). Synonymous with _B. nitida_.

=B. punctata= (dotted). A variety of _B. heracleifolia_.

=B. purpurea= (purple). Synonymous with _B. acutifolia_.

=B. purpurea= (purple). Synonymous with _B. nitida_.

=B. Putzeysiana= (Putzeys'). S. Stem erect, branching, smooth. _l._
oblong-lanceolate, acute, toothed, glabrous, under side spotted
with white. _fl._ in copious small corymbs, white and rose, small.
Capsule small, with rather large obtuse wings. Winter. Venezuela,
1871.

=B. radiata= (rayed). Synonymous with _B. heracleifolia_.

=B. ramentacea= (scaly).* S. Stem erect, branching, brown, scaly,
as also are the leafstalks and peduncles. _l._ ovate, reniform,
oblique; margins slightly angulate, recurved, under side red,
scaly; peduncles branching. _fl._ drooping, pink and white, pretty.
Capsule, when ripe, a bright scarlet; wings large. Spring. Brazil,
1839. (P. M. B. 12-73).

=B. reniformis= (kidney-formed). Synonymous with _B. Dregei_.
(Gardens.)

=B. reniformis= (kidney-formed). Synonymous with _B. vitifolia_.
(Hook.)

=B. Rex= (Royal).* Stemless; rhizome fleshy, creeping,
subterraneous. Leafstalk round, red, setose. _l._ 8in. to 12in.
long, 6in. to 8in. broad, ovate, oblique, sides unequal, cordate,
villose; margins toothed, surface bullate, dark olive-green, with
a metallic lustre, a broad silvery zone running all round, about
1in. from the margin. _fl._ in erect branching cyme, large, pale
rose. Capsule wings, two short, one long and rounded. Assam,
1858. See Fig. 233. (B. M. 5101.) This magnificent species is
the principal progenitor of the numerous ornamental-foliaged
Begonias, a selection of which are given below. Most of them are
well worth growing, but those named have been selected from a
large number: MADAME WAGNER,* _l._ large, profound green, banded
by a broad silvery zone, especially fine; MARSHALLI, _l._ very
large, the margins and very centre dark green, while the greater
portion of the surface is covered with a silvery-grey; REGINA,*
_l._ rich olive-green, banded with a broad zone of bronze-red and
silvery-grey, rendering it very attractive; ROI LEOPOLD,* _l._ on
long stout petioles, very large, deep bronze-red in the centre,
with a broad border of a rather lighter shade, very effective;
ROLLISONI,* _l._ large, on long stalks, rich velvety-green, banded
with silvery-grey; SPLENDIDA ARGENTEA,* _l._ large, of a greyish
hue, veined with white, and tinged with bronze-red, very beautiful.
The following varieties are also very good: ADRIEN ROBINE,* BERTHE
PROUTIERE, CHARLES HOVEY, DISTINCTION,* JULIA SEROT,* LOUISE
CHRETIEN,* MADAME J. MENOREAU,* NARGA,* NAVALA,* TALISMAN, W. E.
GUMBLETON.

=B. Richardsiana= (Richards').* T. Stem 1ft. high, erect, fleshy,
with slender branches. _l._ palmately lobed, the lobes sinuate or
toothed. _fl._ white, males bipetalous, females with five petals.
Cymes axillary near ends of branches, few-flowered. Capsule
three-winged, wings equal. Summer. Natal, 1871. (G. C., 1871, p.
1065.)

=B. R. diadema= (of gardens).* This is referred to here because
of its close resemblance to the above. It is most likely a hybrid
between _B. Richardsiana_ and _B. dipetala_. _l._ palmately lobed,
rather large, spotted with white. _fl._ large, rose-coloured.
Summer. 1881.

=B. ricinifolia= (Ricinus-leaved).* A garden hybrid between _B.
heracleifolia_ and _B. peponifolia_. _l._ large, bronzy green, in
shape like those of the Castor-oil plant. _fl._ numerous, on an
erect scape. Winter. 1847.

=B. Roezlii= (Roezl's). Synonymous with _B. Lynchiana_.

=B. rosacea= (rosy). Stem succulent, short. _l._ ovate obtuse,
slightly pubescent, toothed; petioles long, pilose. _fl._ in
few-flowered cymes, medium-sized, rose-coloured. New Grenada, 1860.
(Garden, pl. 152.)

=B. rosæflora= (rose-flowered).* T. Stemless. Petioles, scapes,
bracts, and stipules bright red. _l._ green, 2in. to 4in. wide,
on stout hairy petioles, 2in. to 6in. long, orbicular-reniform,
concave; margins lobed, red, toothed. Scapes stout, villous,
three-flowered. _fl._ 2in. across, bright rose-red. Summer. Peru,
1867. One of the parents of the popular race of tuberous-rooted
large-flowered Begonias. (B. M. 5680.)

=B. rubricaulis= (red-stalked).* Stemless. Leafstalks, peduncles,
pedicels, and ovaries, a deep red colour. _l._ obliquely ovate,
4in. to 6in. long, slightly hairy, bright green, wrinkled; margins
toothed and ciliated. Scape 1ft. high, erect, stout, branching at
the top, forming a head of about a dozen flowers, which are large,
white inside, rose-tinted outside. Capsule with one large wing, the
others almost suppressed. Summer. Peru, 1834. (B. M. 4131.)

=B. rubro-venia= (red-veined).* Rootstock thick. Stems 12in. to
18in. high, red, pubescent. _l._ 4in. to 6in. long, elliptic or
lanceolate acuminate, entire or slightly angular, toothed, green
spotted with white above, purplish-brown below. Scapes axillary,
red. _fl._ in cymose head; outer segments white with rose-red
veins, inner segments pure white. Summer. Sikkim, &c., 1853. (B. M.
4689.)

=B. sanguinea= (blood-red). S. Stems woody when old, tall, stout,
red, with scattered paler spots. _l._ 4in. to 6in. long, unequally
cordate, acuminate, thick and somewhat fleshy in texture, minutely
crenate, green above, deep red below; peduncles axillary, long,
erect, red. _fl._ in a branching cyme, rather small, white. Capsule
wings sub-equal. Spring. Brazil, 1836. (B. M. 3520.)

=B. scabrida= (rough). Stem stout, erect, somewhat succulent,
covered with small tubercles. _l._ 6in. long, oblique, ovate-acute,
cordate, toothed, slightly hairy. _fl._ white, small; cyme
many-flowered. Capsule wings equal, large. Venezuela, 1857.

=B. scandens= (climbing).* Stem flexuose, fleshy, creeping or
climbing, smooth. _l._ 4in. long, ovate acuminate, sub-cordate;
margins irregularly toothed, pale shining green. _fl._ in axillary
branching cymes, white, small. South America, 1874. Useful either
as a basket plant or for training against moist walls. SYNS. _B.
elliptica_, _B. lucida_, _B. Moritziana_. (R. G. 758.)

=B. sceptrum= (princely). S. _l._ obliquely ovate in outline,
deeply lobed on one side; lobes oblong; obtuse, veins sunk, and
the raised spaces between marked with large silvery blotches, and
numerous smaller dots of silver grey. Brazil, 1883.

=B. Schmidtiana= (Schmidt's).* Stems 1ft. high, branching,
herbaceous. _l._ obliquely cordate, ovate-acute, small, dark
metallic green above, tinged with red below. _fl._ in loose
drooping axillary panicles, white, small, numerous. Winter. Brazil,
1879. (R. G. 990.)

=B. scutellata= (salver-like). Synonymous with _B. conchæfolia_.

=B. Sedeni= (Seden's). T. A garden hybrid between _B. boliviensis_
and _B. Veitchii_. Summer. 1869. A handsome plant, but much
inferior to many of the more recent hybrids. (R. H. 1872, 90.)

=B. semperflorens= (always-flowering).* Stem fleshy, erect, smooth,
reddish-green. _l._ ovate-rotundate, hardly cordate; margins
serrated, ciliated, surface smooth, shining green. _fl._ on
axillary stalks, near apex of stems, white or rose, rather large.
Capsule wings two short, one long, rounded. Autumn. Brazil, 1829.
A useful summer and autumn flowering species, of which there are
several named varieties more or less distinct from the type, either
in colour or size of flowers, or in habit of plant. The varieties
_carminea_, _gigantea_, and _rosea_ are perhaps the best. SYN. _B.
spathulata_. (B. M. 2920.)

=B. s. Frau Maria Brandt.= A dwarf compact variety, with
rose-tinted flowers. See Fig. 234.