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:

http://www.springerlink.com/content/j33802222x62026t/

BEGONIA REX

This was a Begonia rex from the cultorum group (hybrid) that I planted at the Home Garden a while back. Other than knowing that it is from the Begoniaceae Family, I do not know the actual hybrid name but it is not a spoiler.

I always have a penchant for Rex Begonias and I appreciate this uncommon Begonia for its silverish-pink leaves and reddish underside.

I found many links on the cultorum group and they are as attached:

1. http://toptropicals.com/cgi-bin/garden_catalog/cat.cgi?number=5&find=Begoniaceae&imagesonly=1
2. http://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/Begonia_Rex.htm
3. http://www.scottishbegoniasociety.co.uk/15.html
4. http://www.begonias.org/greenhouse/rex.htm
5. http://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/RHS-Publications/Plant-bulletins/Begonia-Rex-Cultorum-Group-Bulletin