Begonia homonyma
| Begonia homonyma | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Cucurbitales |
| Family: | Begoniaceae |
| Genus: | Begonia |
| Species: | B. homonyma
|
| Binomial name | |
| Begonia homonyma Steud.
| |
| Synonyms | |
|
List
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Begonia homonyma, also known as the large-leaved wild begonia(EN), wildebegonia(Afr.), and idlula(Zul.)[1] is a species of flowering plant in the family Begoniaceae, endemic to the Cape Provinces and KwaZulu-Natal. It is a tuberous geophyte.[2]
B. homonyma is one of five indigenous Begonia species native to South Africa, the others being Begonia dregei, Begonia geranioides, Begonia sonderiana, and Begonia sutherlandii. [1] Much like Begonia dregei, B. homonyma has a swollen caudex, which can grow up to 8 cm (3.1 in) in diameter, and the plant itself can get up to a meter tall. [3] The species is so similar to B. dregei that they have sometimes been considered variations of the same plant,[4] but B. homonyma can be distinguished by its leaves, which are larger, minimally lobed, and have raised veins.[1]
B. homonyma is used traditionally by the Zulu people[5] to treat chest ailments.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d Zondi, Lungisani. "Begonia homonyma Steud". The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). SA National Biodiversity Institute. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
- ^ "Begonia homonyma Steud". Plants of the World Online. Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
- ^ "Begonia homonyma". Bihrmann's Caudiciforms. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
- ^ Sharp, Peter G. (2011). Down To Earth - With Begonias (PDF). p. 31. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
- ^ McLellan, Tracy (September–October 2009). "Begonia homonyma Steudl" (PDF). The Begonian. 76: 169. Retrieved 6 December 2025.