Biology:Begonia davisii

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Short description: Species of plant

Begonia davisii
Begonia davisii1.jpg
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Cucurbitales
Family: Begoniaceae
Genus: Begonia
Species:
B. davisii
Binomial name
Begonia davisii
Hook.f.

Begonia davisii is a plant in the begonia family, Begoniaceae, which was used in the early days of breeding Begonia × tuberhybrida cultivars.[1][2]

It was discovered by the Victorian plant collector Walter Davis (after whom it was named) near Arequipa in Peru and was first introduced to England in 1877.[3][4]

Description

The plant has a dwarf, tufted habit[4] with broadly ovate–cordate leaves, which are glossy bluish-green above and purplish beneath, with a slightly lobed serrated margin; the flowers are rich orange-scarlet in colour, arranged in threes on erect red-coloured scapes 6 inches (150 mm) to 8 inches (200 mm) high.[3]

Hybridization

The dwarf habit and erect flowers characteristic of this species were taken advantage of by John Seden, who rapidly evolved several garden forms, including a dwarf race of hybrids suitable for summer-bedding which became popular in Victorian England.[3][5]

The cultivar, B. davisii Orangeade, which has double bright copper–orange flowers, is available commercially today.[6]

References

  1. John E. Bryan (2002). Bulbs. Timber Press. pp. 121. ISBN 0-88192-529-2. 
  2. Geoff Bryant. "Tuberhybrida Cultivars". Country, Farm & Garden. http://www.cfgphoto.com/photos-begonias-tuberhybrida.html. 
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 James Herbert Veitch (2006). Hortus Veitchii (reprint ed.). Caradoc Doy. pp. 457. ISBN 0-9553515-0-2. 
  4. 4.0 4.1 Hortus Veitchii. pp. 232. 
  5. Hortus Veitchii. pp. 459. 
  6. "Begonia davisii Orangeade". www.seeds-by-size.co.uk. http://www.seeds-by-size.co.uk/begoni98.htm. [|permanent dead link|dead link}}]

Wikidata ☰ Q4880538 entry