Common Name:

General Information

Begonia palmata is a perennial plant with erect, branched stems growing from an elongate rhizome up to 21mm in diameter; it can grow 20 - 90cm tall[].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and a food. It is often grown as an ornamental in gardens.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - south and east China, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam.

Habitat

Evergreen broad-leaved forests, scrubby vegetation, by streams or on slopes in valleys, on rocks in moist environments by streams; at elevations from 100 - 3,200 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.40 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Begonia palmata is found from the warm temperate zone of southern China to the tropical region of southeast Asia, growing at elevations up to 3,200 metres. It should succeed outdoors in the warmer regions of the temperate zone, where winter emperatures seldom fall much below zero.
Requires a well-drained soil[]. Plants do not require high light intensities[]. Prefers a pH between 6 and 7[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - cooked[].

Medicinal

The roots are antiphlogistic and astringent. They stimulate blood circulation[]. A decoction is used in the treatment of haematemesis, amenorrhoea and traumatic stagnant blood collection[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

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[]. 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.