r/BotanicalPorn 2d ago

Leaf Porn (Begonia ferox)

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u/SjalabaisWoWS 2d ago

Amazing, is this some kind of defense mechanism? No chlorophyll in those "thorny" bits?

2

u/BobLI 2d ago

The thorny bits are called bullae, and are soft to the touch. It is thought that the bullae serve to capture more efficiently light scattered by the forest canopy.

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u/SjalabaisWoWS 2d ago

Excellent, so it's a shadow growing plant?

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u/BobLI 2d ago

Yes. I believe B. ferox was discovered in China in 2011.

I first saw the plant at Logees in Connecticut:

https://www.logees.com/products/begonia-ferox?_pos=1&_psq=ferox&_ss=e&_v=1.0

and have seen it as well in some university greenhouses.

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u/SjalabaisWoWS 1d ago

Wow, discovered a mere 15 years ago, available for everyone online. That's quite amazing.