Native to the Lesser Antilles, Begonia obliqua grows as a herbaceous perennial in moist, shaded habitats where temperatures remain warm and humidity is consistently high. It holds historical significance as the first plant to bear the name “Begonia” when designated by Charles Plumier and later formalized by Linnaeus. The plant produces pendent, much-branched inflorescences carrying numerous small, white flowers; the male blooms feature a central cluster of bright yellow stamens, while the female blooms develop distinctive green, three-winged ovaries that mature into capsules. These flowers, typically ½–¾ in wide, are held on slender, wiry stalks and appear over a prolonged season in favorable climates.
One notable hybrid involving this species is the scented cultivar ‘Tea Rose’, a cross between B. obliqua and B. dichroa, which is sometimes grown by begonia enthusiasts for its unique fragrance. Photographed in Colombia.