{"product_id":"begonia-pavonina-cyan-form","title":"Begonia pavonina 'Cyan Form'","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBegonia pavonina \u003c\/em\u003eis also known as the \"peacock Begonia\" due to its spectacularly blue, metallic iridescent leaves.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt originates from the southern half of the Malay Peninsula (Malaysia), where it grows at higher altitudes above sea level on shady earth or rock slopes. Within the genus \u003cem\u003eBegonia\u003c\/em\u003e, it is assigned to the section \u003cem\u003ePlatycentrum\u003c\/em\u003e, a most likely polyphyletic (and thus unnatural) grouping of different species that are not actually closely related to each other.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eB. pavonina\u003c\/em\u003e has a creeping but above-ground rhizome, from which leaves grow upwards at short intervals on long red stems. The leaves of the 'Cyan Form' only grow to about 5 to 7 cm and are also completely red on the underside. The upper side of the leaves, however, is the main attraction here.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhen \u003cem\u003eB. pavonina\u003c\/em\u003e grows in shady conditions, the leaves eventually begin to form so-called iridoplasts. These are highly modified chloroplasts, which arrange themselves in a crystal-like lattice and can capture about 10% more light than conventional chloroplasts. A side effect of this arrangement is the strong, turquoise-metallic shimmer of the leaves, which is best observed from only a certain angle and in the dark with a flashlight. Even without such \"tricks,\" the effect can be seen; especially in indirect daylight, the leaves shimmer beautifully greenish to blue. Iridoplasts are actually only formed in low light. If \u003cem\u003eB. pavonina\u003c\/em\u003e receives enough light, the leaves simply retain their normal green coloration.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOur plants grow in relatively bright conditions, which is why the blue shimmer is not always particularly pronounced. Fortunately, the color change happens quite quickly, so you can observe this effect at home after just a few weeks.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe flowers of \u003cem\u003eB. pavonina\u003c\/em\u003e are delicately pink and are (almost) always formed in pairs on long stems.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 'cyan form' of \u003cem\u003eB. pavonina\u003c\/em\u003e shows a distinct light blue to green iridescence. According to some authors, the 'Dark Form' may be a hybrid of \u003cem\u003eB. pavonina\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eB. grandis\u003c\/em\u003e, while the 'Cyan Form' is said to be the actual (and significantly more difficult to cultivate) true \u003cem\u003eB. pavonina\u003c\/em\u003e. Our \u003cem\u003eB. pavonina\u003c\/em\u003e 'Cyan Form' remains significantly smaller than the up to 30 cm stated in the literature, with a total height of just 15 cm and leaves of a maximum of 6 cm. The iridescence is significantly more pronounced than in the 'Dark Form'.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou will receive a strong young plant in a 7cm square pot.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Jungle Leaves","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56318934319481,"sku":"Beg011","price":39.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0951\/8389\/6953\/files\/Begonia-pavonina-cyan-form-00.jpg?v=1764903653","url":"https:\/\/www.jungle-leaves.de\/en\/products\/begonia-pavonina-cyan-form","provider":"Jungle Leaves","version":"1.0","type":"link"}