Begonia kingiana Irmsch. has thick leaves; which are very variable in colour, shape and pattern. They range ranges form completely purplish to almost black or green with purple markings, to green with a bronze pattern resembling a tortoise shell , hence the name 'tortoise shell Begonia'. The leaf blades are commonly round with short pointed tip, other shapes recorded include broadly oval and asymmetric. It is often found growing in partial shade and cool humid conditions on vertical limestone cliffs.
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Genus name was established in mid 18th century: modern Latin, named in honour of the French administrator and amateur botanist Michel Bégon (1638–1710) by the botanist Charles Plumier (1646–1704), who discovered the plant on the island of Santo Domingo.
Begonia kingiana
Begonia kingiana is approx. 20 cm tall and comes in a ⌀ 12 cm pot.