Singular and beautiful as this species of Begonia is, in the 
appearance of the leaves, it is scarcely less striking in its flowers, 
the male blossoms of which are pure white, the female of a de- 
licate rose colour. These were produced, probably for the first 
time in Britain, at the stove of the Botanic Garden at Edin- 
burgh, where the accompanying figure was taken in June 1822. 
The species is well represented in the excellent Icones Selectee 
of Link and Otto. Our plant is far more compact, and of 
shorter stature, in consequence, perhaps, of its being cultivated 
in a small pot. From those authors we learn that it is a na- 
tive of Brazil. 
It seems easy of cultivation, and may probably, at a future 
time, be as common as the hardly less beautiful B. Evansiana. 
The soil best suited to all the individuals of this genus is a mix- 
ture of loam and peat ; and it is particularly requisite that the 
bottom of the pot be well drained, as the roots are readily in- 
jured by stagnant water. The plant in our Botanic Garden 
was received from that of Edinburgh. 
Fig. 1. Plant, natural size. Fig. 2. Male flower. Fig. S. Bundle of stamens. 
Fig. 4. Single stamen. Fig. 5. Forked ditto. Fig. 6. Female flower. 
Fig. 7. Style and stigma. Fig. 8. Section of the germen.— All but 
Fig. L more or less magnified. 
