Aptera begonia
Begonia aptera

Family: Begoniaceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows 1.5 m tall. It has a rhizome or underground stem. The stem is erect and branched. The leaves are broadly sword shaped and unequal on opposite sides. They are 9-29 cm long by 3-11 cm wide. There are irregular teeth along the edge. The leaf stalks are 8-15 cm long. The flowering shoots are small and 5 cm long. They hang down. The flowers are mixed male and female and white. The fruit is a flattened round capsule. It is fleshy and 2 cm across.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows on the edges of forests up to 2,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Indochina, Indonesia, New Guinea, SE Asia, Vietnam

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Leaves, spice

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from stem or leaf cuttings or by division of the rhizome or from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Begonia aptera, Thu hai duong, Thuhaiduong khong-canh

Synonyms

Diploclinium apterum (Blume) Miq.;