Begonia parviflora

Native from Costa Rica through western South America to Bolivia, this perennial grows as a large shrub or small tree in humid montane forests. In the Bolivian Yungas, it reaches about 13 to 26 feet tall. Its large, asymmetric leaves are divided into several lobes, and broad, branching clusters bear numerous small white flowers. It is a pioneer of disturbed forest and commonly grows along roadsides. Plants in more open forest conditions are more likely to flower. In Colombia, it occurs between about 1,800 and 7,200 feet. Photographed in Ecuador.