22 December 2010

BEGONIA SEMPERFLORENS - CULTORUM

This hairy Begonia was identified as the above recently. Unlike the typical Begonia, this one has a more symmetrical roundish leaf. I just love the pubescent leaves with fine reddish hairs. It was hypothesized that the fine hairs offer a thin layer of higher humidity by trapping the water vapour and serve the function of preventing moisture loss from the leaf surface.

A link on the pubescent leaves is shown here: