{"product_id":"begonia-sizemoreae","title":"Begonia sizemoreae","description":"When fully grown \u003cem\u003e, Begonia sizemoreae\u003c\/em\u003e is certainly one of the most impressive of all begonias!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e It originates from Vietnam, where it grows at altitudes of 200 to 900 meters above sea level on shady slopes of earth or rock. Within the genus \u003cem\u003eBegonia\u003c\/em\u003e , it is classified in the section \u003cem\u003ePlatycentrum\u003c\/em\u003e , a most likely polyphyletic (i.e., non-natural) grouping of different species that are not actually closely related.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eB. sizemoreae\u003c\/em\u003e has a creeping but aboveground rhizome from which leaves emerge at short intervals on long red stems. The leaves grow to over 30 cm in length and are covered with numerous transparent hairs. They are also bullate, meaning they are deeply wrinkled, and exhibit a light\/dark pattern within these wrinkles, as well as a green stripe without a dark pattern running down the center of the leaf between the two dark bands.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eWhen \u003cem\u003e*B. sizemoreae*\u003c\/em\u003e grows in shady conditions, the leaves eventually begin to form iridoplasts. These are highly modified chloroplasts that arrange themselves in a crystal-like lattice, allowing them to capture approximately 10% more light than conventional chloroplasts. A side effect of this arrangement is the strong, metallic blue sheen of the leaves, which is best observed from a specific angle in the dark with a flashlight. Even without such \"tricks,\" the effect is visible; the leaves shimmer beautifully greenish to blue, especially in indirect daylight. Iridoplasts are only formed in low light conditions. If \u003cem\u003e*B. sizemoreae*\u003c\/em\u003e receives enough light, the leaves simply retain their normal green to bronze coloration.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOur plants grow in relatively light colors, which is why the blue tint isn't always very pronounced. Fortunately, the color change happens quite quickly, so you should be able to observe this effect at home after just a few weeks.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The flowers of \u003cem\u003eB. sizemoreae\u003c\/em\u003e are delicate pink in color and are formed on long stems.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Jungle Leaves","offers":[{"title":"12cm round pot","offer_id":56318988419449,"sku":"Beg023-12","price":14.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0951\/8389\/6953\/files\/IMG07334-1.jpg?v=1764906418","url":"https:\/\/www.jungle-leaves.de\/en\/products\/begonia-sizemoreae","provider":"Jungle Leaves","version":"1.0","type":"link"}