Begonia × hiemalis, the elatior begonia or Reiger begonia, is an artificial hybrid species of flowering plant in the family Begoniaceae.[1] Its parents are Begonia socotrana and Begonia × tuberhybrida (itself a hybrid of multiple species).[2] Hybridization efforts began in 1881, with the first cultivar named 'John Heal'.[1] The 'Elatior' cultivar debuted in 1906, and beginning in 1950 Otto Rieger issued many new, disease-resistant cultivars, such that people began to call the species "elatior" or "Rieger" begonias.[1] In addition to their typically doubled flowers which come in every color except blue, they are valued for their tendency to bloom in fall and winter, and in fact nearly year-round.[1]

Begonia × hiemalis
Begonia × hiemalis sepals come in a wide variety of colors
Begonia × hiemalis 'Filur' cultivar
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Cucurbitales
Family: Begoniaceae
Genus: Begonia
Species:
B. × hiemalis
Binomial name
Begonia × hiemalis

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d "Hiemalis, Reiger, Elatior, & ×Cheimantha". begonias.org. American Begonia Society. 2024. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  2. ^ "Begonia × hiemalis Fotsch". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 31 May 2024.