Painted Leaf Begonia is a common begonia of the Himalayas.
It is a tuberous herb, 10-18 cm tall. Leaves are few,
4-12 cm long, 3.5-10 cm wide, broadly ovate, doubly toothed, base heart-
shaped, tip long-pointed. Upper leaf surface is hairy, lower hairy on
veins. Leaves are often blotched purple or variegated, hence the common
name. Leaf stalk is 3-10 cm, hairy. Light pink flowers are borne elevated
above the leaves. Male flower have 4 petals, outer ones 1.2 x 2 cm, nearly
round to broadly ovate, obtuse, pink; inner petals 3 x 8 mm, oblong,
pink-white. Stamens are numerous. Female flower have 5 petals, 8-12 mm
long, ovate-oblong. Styles are 3, persistent. Capsule is pendulous, 7-20
mm long, 3-winged; wings pointing upwards, green, unequal, 3-8 mm, 7-20 mm
and 7-25 mm broad, all velvety. Flowering: August-September.
Identification credit: Tabish
Photographed on Mussoorie-Dhanaulti route, Uttarakhand.
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The flower labeled Painted Leaf Begonia is ...