266 DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF BEGONIAS. 



ARTICLE II. 



DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF BEGONIAS, 



BY MR. DONALD. 



(Extracted from the Journal of the Horticultural Society, Part 

 II, and being a continuation of Article 1., page 241.) 



A. Stems none. 



1. B. rubricaulis. Leaves all from the root, heart shaped, about 

 five inches in breadth, of a dark green colour, and hairy on both 

 sides. Flowers few, but beautiful, closely set together on the top of 

 a footstalk of from eight to ten inches in length, covered with fine 

 white hairs. This species, in some respects, resembles B. albo- 

 coccinea, especially in the purple sepals and almost white petals, and, 

 like it, blooms in autumn, and probably at other seasons. 



B. Stems creeping, 

 a. Leaves palmate, equal at the base. 



2. B. heracleifolia. Stems short and creeping. Leaves palmate, 

 from fourteen to sixteen inches across, of a dark green colour, and 

 hairy on both sides. The most remarkable feature in this species is 

 the footstalks which support the leaves ; they are generally about two 

 feet in height, and covered with strong white hairs rising from 

 crimson spots, which, along with numerous short bright green streaks, 

 give the plant altogether a singular appearance. Flowers pink, in 

 loose panicles, elevated on hairy footstalks about three feet in height. 

 It blooms in spring. — Mexico. 



3. B. crassicaulis. Stems rather short, thick, and fleshy, in 

 dining to creep, of a dull green colour ; when young, thickly set with 

 strong black hairs, having all their points turned upwaids. Leaves 

 palmate, measuring about 10 inches across, of a bright green colour, 

 and partially covered with a soft brown substance beneath. Flowers 

 white, produced in great profusion all over the stems. A deciduous 

 species, flowering in spring before the leaves appear. — Guatemala. 



b. Leaves ovate, equal at the base. 



4. B. fagifolia, entirely covered with soft white hairs. Stems 

 creeping, short jointed, and of a dull crimson colour. Leaves ovate, 

 about two inches in length, remaining long on the stem. Flowers 

 white, jather small, but produced in great profusion, and remaining 



