Fauna
Flower

Hardy Begonia

Begonia grandis

Also known as Evans Begonia

Hardy begonia thrives in damp, sheltered deciduous valleys, sending up olive-green, heart-shaped leaves with striking red undersides and delicate translucent veins. Flowering clusters of fragrant pink or white blossoms appear late in summer, long after most shade perennials have finished their display. In autumn, small pea-sized bulbils form in the leaf axils, dropping to the soil where they persist through sub-zero winter freezes to generate new colonies the following spring.

Shade TolerantPerennialFlowering
Hardy Begonia reference1 / 7
(c) Jernej Polajnar, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jernej Polajnar · cc-by
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic (photosynthetic)
Predators
  • Slugs
  • Snails
  • Caterpillars
ThreatsDeforestation, local habitat destruction, and over-collection
HabitatsMoist deciduous forests, shady valleys, stream banks, and rocky crevices
Life spanPerennial (indefinite via tubers and bulbils)
Classification
  1. OrderCucurbitales
  2. FamilyBegoniaceae
  3. GenusBegonia
  4. SpeciesBegonia grandis
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Contains soluble calcium oxalates; toxic to dogs and cats if ingested.
Why it is dangerous
Tissues contain soluble calcium oxalate crystals that cause intense oral burning, excessive drooling, and vomiting in pets.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for asymmetric, heart-shaped leaves with crimson undersides and pink four-petaled flowers on reddish stems.
What to do
Keep ornamental plantings out of reach of household pets, and seek veterinary care if leaves or tubers are consumed.
Responsible observation
  • Look For Bulbils: Inspect the leaf axils in late autumn to spot tiny round reproductive tubers.
  • Planting Distance: Keep away from outdoor pet runs where curious dogs might dig up the roots.
Related species
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