Wild begonia

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Wild begonia inflorescence

Wild begonia inflorescence

Wild begonia

Wild begonia

Wild begonia stem

Wild begonia perianth segments

Wild begonia

Wild begonia

Wild begonia leaves

Morphology

Stem

Erect or decumbent at base, 1 to many, stout, often branching, glabrous, often reddish.

Leaves

Alternate, simple; stalks shorter than blades; blades variable, flat, thick, leathery, ovate to oblong or lanceolate, 1.6 to 4.8 inches long, 1/5 to 2 inches wide, mid-vein prominent; margins entire; tips pointed; conspicuous stipules clasp stem at bases of leaves.

Inflorescence

Racemes, panicle-like, unbranched or with few branches.

Flower

Flowers tiny, not crowded, small in flower, showy in fruit; flower stalks in fruit slender, to 4/5 inch long, joint near middle; perianth segments 6, in 2 whorls of 3, united basally, more or less alike at flowering; outer whorl turned downward in fruit; inner whorl enlarging in fruit, conspicuously winged; wings .8 to 1.8 inches broad, circular, showy, pink or red; margins entire; tips notched to heart-shaped.

Fruit

Achene, 3-angled, 1/5 to 1/4 inch long, light brown, enveloped by wings

Ecology

Habitat

Prairie dunes, riverbanks and roadsides; sandy soil.

Distribution

West 4/5 of Kansas.

Additional Notes