{"product_id":"begonia-pavonina-dark-form","title":"Begonia pavonina 'Dark Form'","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBegonia pavonina\u003c\/em\u003e is 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 in 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 highly probable 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 at short intervals on long red stems. The leaves reach about 15 to 30 cm in size and are completely red on the underside as well. However, the top side of the leaves is the main attraction.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhen \u003cem\u003eB. pavonina\u003c\/em\u003e grows in shady conditions, the leaves begin to form so-called iridoplasts after some time. These are highly modified chloroplasts, which arrange themselves in a crystal-like lattice and can capture approximately 10% more light than conventional chloroplasts. A side effect of this arrangement is the strong, blue metallic shimmer of the leaves, which is best observed from only a specific 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 indeed only formed in low light. If \u003cem\u003eB. pavonina\u003c\/em\u003e receives enough light, the leaves simply retain their normal, green to bronze coloration.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOur plants grow in relatively bright conditions, which is why the blue shimmer is not always particularly pronounced. However, 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 'Dark Form' of \u003cem\u003eB. pavonina\u003c\/em\u003e shows a pronounced dark blue 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 much more difficult to cultivate) true \u003cem\u003eB. pavonina\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou will receive a strong young plant in a 9cm square pot.\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Jungle Leaves","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56318933205369,"sku":"Beg012","price":19.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0951\/8389\/6953\/files\/Begonia-pavonina-dark-form-00-1.jpg?v=1764903624","url":"https:\/\/www.jungle-leaves.de\/en\/products\/begonia-pavonina-dark-form","provider":"Jungle Leaves","version":"1.0","type":"link"}