Practical
Plants

Begonia grandis evansiana

Hardy Begonia

a perennial member of the Begonia genus in the family Begoniaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Begonia
Life cycle
perennial
Height
1 m
Flower type
monoecious

Uses

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The tuberous roots and fruits are anodyne, antiphlogistic and antispasmodic. Stimulates blood circulation[2]. A decoction is used in the treatment of traumatic pain, haematemesis, gonorrhoea, post-partum vaginal discharge, amenorrhoea and snakebites[2].

Product or use
Anodyne
Product or use
Antiphlogistic
Product or use
Antispasmodic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

This species can be grown as a ground cover in a sunny position sheltered by shrubs. The plants form spreading clumps[5].

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China, Japan, Himalayas(Malaya).
Habitat
Shady slopes or wet places[2].
Shade tolerance
partial shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - surface sow in a greenhouse and keep the compost moist in a light position. The seed can be very slow to germinate, sometimes taking a year or more[1]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division. Basal cuttings from tubers in spring. Bulblets, formed in the leaf axils. Harvest in the autumn and store overwinter in a cool frost-free place, plant out in spring[4].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a well-drained soil[4]. Does not require high light intensities[4], succeeding in full sun or partial shade[6]. Prefers a pH between 6 and 7[4]. Plants tolerate temperatures down to about -5°c, and can be grown outdoors in the milder areas of the country if given the shelter of a wall[4]. This same report gives the plant a hardiness zone rating of 6 (tolerating temperatures down to about -20°c)[4]. Grows well outdoors in Cornwall amongst trees and shrubs[3]. There are some named varieties selected for their ornamental value[4].

References

  1. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. 1988-00-00

    ↩

  2. ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent 1990-00-00

    ↩

  4. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  5. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩

  6. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩

  7. Flora of Japan www.foj.info

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