Hardy begonia
Begonia grandis

Family: Begoniaceae

What it is like

A herb. It loses its leaves during the year. It has round tubers 8-12 mm across. The stems are 28-60 cm tall. The leaf stalks are 4-20 cm long. The leaves are on the stem and are broadly oval and unequal on opposite sides. The flowers are in stalks 7-16 cm tall at the ends of the stems and in the axils of leaves. The flowers are white or pink.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in forests and beside stream and well as in damp cracks in limestone and moist shady places. It grows between 100-3,400 m above sea level. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China (country/location of origin), India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, SE Asia

How it is used for food

The young leaves are eaten raw.

Edible parts

Flowers, leaves, stems

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds, stem or leaf cuttings and tubers.

Its other names

Local names

Akangzi, Begonia grandis

Synonyms

Begonia evansiana var. simsii Irmsch.;