Begonia octopetala

Native to Ecuador and Peru, this tuberous perennial herb grows on rocky slopes and in seasonally moist habitats. In Peru, it also occurs in coastal lomas, where fog provides moisture during the growing season. It goes dormant and survives unfavorable periods underground. The white or pink-tinged male flowers have seven to eleven tepals and yellow stamens. It is one of the species used to develop large-flowered tuberous begonia hybrids. The subspecies ovatiformis is classified as Endangered in Peru. Photographed in Peru.