Begonia rex-cultorum

Developed in cultivation, these rhizomatous herbaceous perennial hybrids descend from Begonia rex, native from southern Bhutan through northeastern India to northern Myanmar. They typically grow 12 to 18 inches tall and are cultivated for leaves with metallic colors, contrasting bands, spots, and spirals. Small pink or white flowers grow above the foliage. Many cultivars become dormant in fall or winter and may shed their leaves. New plants can develop from leaf sections containing a main vein; these cuttings preserve a cultivar’s characteristics, while seedlings may differ. The plants are toxic to pets if eaten, especially their underground parts. Photographed in Ecuador.