Begonia reniformis aka Grapeleaf Begonia

Begonia reniformis belongs to the begonia family, Begoniaceae. It is a perennial, a plant that lives for more than one year. The RHS calls it grape leaf begonia. Its native range covers parts of Brazil and Argentina. In Brazil, it grows in the southeast and south. In Argentina, its range reaches Misiones. It is not native to Great Britain or Ireland. These records state where the plant is native.

Kew places this species in the wet tropical biome. This means a wet, tropical type of natural habitat. Kew lists it as a perennial or a lithophyte. A lithophyte is a plant that grows on rock. These terms tell us about its life form and setting. They do not tell us how large it grows. The records give no height for a full-grown plant. They give no spread, or width, for one either.

The RHS accepts Begonia reniformis as the correct name. It also lists other names for the same species. These include Begonia longipes and Begonia vitifolia Schott. The RHS treats both of these names as synonyms. A synonym is another name for the same plant. It also lists Begonia palmifolia as a name used in gardening. These names may help when you check an old label. They may also help you check older plant records.

The supplied evidence gives few details about the plant itself. It gives no full account of this species’ leaves. Nor does it describe its stems, flowers, or fruit in detail. The sources give no light needs for this species. They give no guide to watering or soil for it. They do not state how much cold it can bear. Thus, these records give no care guide for this species.

The sources do not document its uses in a garden. They give no account of its pests or diseases. They do not say which parts, if any, people can eat. Nor do they document whether this species is toxic. The RHS page does include traits of begonias in general. But those broad traits do not establish this species’ traits. They cannot fill these gaps in the supplied species evidence.