Metallic begonia
Begonia incarnata
Family: Begoniaceae
What it is like
A herb. It grows 1 m tall. It is erect and like a shrub. The leaves are oval and oblique. They are 5-9 cm long by 4-8 cm wide. The base is heart shaped. There are sharp teeth along the edge. They are shiny metallic green with purple veins on the upper surface and pale green underneath. The leaf stalk is 6 cm long. The flowers are pink and in the axils of leaves. The fruit is an oval capsule 1 cm long.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows in humid forests up to 1,800 m above sea level. In Mexico it grows at about 1,600 m altitude.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Brazil (country/location of origin), Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Indonesia, Mexico, North America, SE Asia, West Indies
How it is used for food
Leaf stalks are sold in markets.
Edible parts
Leaf stalk
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seeds or stem or leaf cuttings.
Its other names
Local names
Begonia metalik, Quiquiriqui