Begonias are mostly succulent herbs from the tropics. Although tropical in origin, begonias are usually found in partially shaded, moist and humid locations, often at higher elevation. Most can not tolerate high temperature, but grow best at moderate temperatures. Begonias are monoecious dicots, producing both male and female flowers on the same plant. The female flowers are noticeable for the three winged ovary at the base of the petals whereas the male flowers usually have only two petals.
Seeds are very small.
There are over 1,000 species, mostly in the genus Begonia and 10,000 cultivated begonias. Many begonias are grown as outdoor ornamentals, but most are indoor plants and those commonly grown outdoors generally make attractive indoor plants. Wax begonias , Begonia semperflorens , are very popular fibrous rooted begonias. They have waxy leaves and flower freely. Leaves may be green, bronze or red and flowers may be single or double in shades of red, pink, orange and white.