{"product_id":"begonia-variegata-ex-masoniana-var-maculata","title":"Begonia variegata (ex masoniana var. maculata)","description":"\u003cem\u003eBegonia variegata\u003c\/em\u003e was only described as a new species in 2005. It originates from northern Vietnam, where it grows at altitudes of 100 to 800m above sea level on shady earthen or rocky slopes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e It was formerly known as \u003cem\u003eBegonia masoniana\u003c\/em\u003e var. \u003cem\u003emaculata\u003c\/em\u003e , but it differs from \u003cem\u003eB. masoniana\u003c\/em\u003e in some quite distinct characteristics and was therefore described as a separate species.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eThe specific epithet \" \u003cem\u003evariegata\u003c\/em\u003e \" can be somewhat confusing, as it is mostly used nowadays for plants with a mutation in which chlorophyll is missing in parts of the leaf (\"variegated\"). However, \u003cem\u003eBegonia variegata\u003c\/em\u003e does not have this mutation, and its name refers to the original meaning of \" \u003cem\u003evariegata\u003c\/em\u003e ,\" which is simply \"variegated.\"\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eBegonia variegata\u003c\/em\u003e has a creeping, above-ground rhizome from which leaves grow at short intervals on long, very hairy stems. The leaves reach a size of approximately 20 cm and are strongly bullate, meaning they are covered with numerous small, pointed bumps. A single pink hair sits atop each bump. Both the leaf margins and broad areas around the main veins are a contrasting dark red. This pattern and hairiness distinguish it from the more familiar \u003cem\u003eBegonia masoniana\u003c\/em\u003e (also known as 'Iron Cross'). The hairs on \u003cem\u003eB. variegata\u003c\/em\u003e are pink to red and very dense, while those on \u003cem\u003eB. masoniana\u003c\/em\u003e are sparser and more transparent. The dark markings on the leaves of \u003cem\u003eB. variegata\u003c\/em\u003e are dark red, bold, and broad, whereas in \u003cem\u003eB. masoniana\u003c\/em\u003e they are fainter, black to brown, and considerably narrower. The two species also differ in the details of their flowers.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eThe flowers of \u003cem\u003eB. variegata\u003c\/em\u003e are greenish-white and rather small.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e It is assigned to the section \u003cem\u003eCoelocentrum\u003c\/em\u003e within the genus \u003cem\u003eBegonia\u003c\/em\u003e .\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e You will receive a very strong plant in a 12cm pot.","brand":"Jungle Leaves","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56319067128185,"sku":"Beg053","price":14.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0951\/8389\/6953\/files\/Begonia-variegata-02.jpg?v=1764911817","url":"https:\/\/www.jungle-leaves.de\/en\/products\/begonia-variegata-ex-masoniana-var-maculata","provider":"Jungle Leaves","version":"1.0","type":"link"}