Begonia pavonina, or peacock begonia, is a species of rhizomatous plant in the family Begoniaceae. It is endemic to the dim understory in the montane forests of peninsular Malaysia.[1]

Begonia pavonina
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Cucurbitales
Family: Begoniaceae
Genus: Begonia
Species:
B. pavonina
Binomial name
Begonia pavonina

Description edit

The plant is characterized by its iridescent foliage that reflects blue light to capture as much as light as possible in the undergrowth of the dense forests where it lives.[2]

Distribution edit

This rhizomatous begonia is a native to the Pahang region of Malaysia, growing in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia.

References edit

  1. ^ Morse, Clinton (2017-09-26). "Begonia pavonina {Begoniaceae} Peacock Begonia". florawww.eeb.uconn.edu. Retrieved 2020-10-14.
  2. ^ Pao, Shang-Hung; Tsai, Ping-Yun; Peng, Ching-I; Chen, Pei-Ju; Tsai, Chi-Chu; Yang, En-Cheng; Shih, Ming-Chih; Chen, Jiannyeu; Yang, Jun-Yi; Chesson, Peter; Sheue, Chiou-Rong (2018-07-01). "Lamelloplasts and minichloroplasts in Begoniaceae: iridescence and photosynthetic functioning". Journal of Plant Research. 131 (4): 655–670. doi:10.1007/s10265-018-1020-2. ISSN 1618-0860.

External links edit