Begonia × tuberhybrida


Tuberous begonias are a group of Begonia cultivars, sometimes regarded as some of the most spectacular of the genus.
One of the first hybrids produced was B. x sedenii in 1870, a cross between B. boliviensis, collected by botanist Richard Pearce and a species from the Andes. Another species from Peru, B. davisii, was also used in early breeding.

Nomenclature

The University of Vermont recognises the following 13 groups:
  1. Single — large single flowers, four usually flat tepals
  2. Frilled, Crispa — large single flowers, tepal margins frilled or ruffled
  3. Cristata, Crested — large single flowers, frilled or tufted center of tepals
  4. Narcissiflora, Daffodil-flowered — large more or less double flowers, central tepals form "trumpet"
  5. Camellia, Camelliflora — large double flowers resembling camellias, unruffled, solid colors
  6. Ruffled Camellia — camellia flowers ruffled on edges
  7. Rosebud, Rosiflora — large double flowers with rose bud-like center
  8. Carnation, Fimbriata Plena — large double carnation-like flowers, tepals fringed on margins
  9. Picotee — large usually double flowers like camellias, tepals with different color on margin blending with other color
  10. Marginata — like Picotee only distinct non-blending line of color on margins
  11. Marmorata, Marbled — like Camellia but rose-colored, blotched or spotted with white
  12. Hanging Basket, Pendula — stems trailing or pendant, large to small flowers single or double
  13. Multiflora — low, bushy, compact plants with many small single or double flowers
Other systems confusingly use binomial nomenclature to refer to flower types, by the terms Begonia grandiflora, Begonia multiflora and Begonia pendula. The last two correspond to groups 13 and 12, respectively. The first type, grandiflora, is then subdivided by flower form; e.g. Begonia grandiflora erecta.

Cultivation

Tuberous begonias grow best in partial shade or filtered sunlight. Excessive exposure to sunlight can result in burnt flowers and leaves. However, too much shade will result in compensatory growth of foliage at the expense of flowers.