Begonia rex

Family: Begoniaceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows 40 cm tall. It has a rhizome. The leaves are at the base. The leaf stalks are 35 cm long. The leaves are oval unequal on opposite sides. They are 6-33 cm long by 5-21 cm wide. They are purplish underneath.

There are 900-1,000-1,500 Begonia species.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in forests and on rocks and in caves in valleys. It grows between 400-1,100 m above sea level. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Caucasus, China, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Georgia, Haiti, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Mexico, Myanmar, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Slovenia, Vietnam, West Indies

How it is used for food

It is used as a substitute for rhubarb (Rheum emodi) CAUTION: The leaves contain rutin.

Edible parts

Leaf stalks, seeds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Kraljevska begonija, Thuhaiduong vua

Synonyms

Begonia dominiana Veitch ex J. Dix; Platycentrum rex (Putz.) Seem.; and others