This possibly hundred-year-old plant, a "round-leaf" begonia, was originally grown by Emma Moon Church (1867-1964), wife of Almon Church, and handed down to her daughter Hazel Church Thomas. Its latest reincarnation in the picture below has been preserved for thirty years by Jean Bierwirth Bornt.

B. Erythophylla

photo by DJB, 2002

B. hydrocotylifolia

(a parent of B. Erythophylla, a Rhizomatous Begonia)

Photo: Gene Salisbury
May/June 2001 Begonian

...identification courtesy of www.begonias.org
& www.allanahs.com

Rhizomatous Begonias

from The Many Types of Begonias by Brad Thompson

The rhizomatous types are grown mostly for their interesting leaves and compact growth but they have the added bonus of a massive display of flowers that can cover the whole plant. Most are spring blooming but there are a few that bloom all year. They range in size from tiny miniatures to large plants like B.'Freddie' that can have 3 foot leaves under optimum conditions (one growing outdoors in Hawaii grew that large). The plants can also grow very large across but don't reach great height, because they grow from rhizomes that creep along the ground, which gives this type its name. The rhizomatous types are popular all across the country and one in particular B.'Erythrophylla' is an early hybrid that was often called it a beef steak or pond lily begonia because of it's large round leaves. Some types of rhizomatous have intricate patterns on their leaves in almost any earth tone color, some are hairy leaved, some are round and shiny, and some are star shaped. There is really no end to the variety of leaf shape, color and texture in this type of begonia, there is something for every taste. - www. begonias.org

More Flowers Pics!

Jean's 'Pinks' (Dianthus) Summer 2003

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