BEGONIA. [BaioxincE.E.) BEGONIA'CEiE, Beyonia(Ls, a natural order of Exogens, consisting of three genera, Begoina, Eapetalum, and Diptodiniam. The species are 159, and are found exclusively in the dampest parts of the tropics in both the New and Old World, particularly hi Asia and America. They have perfectly unisexual flowers, with a superior calyx, generally coloured pink, consisting in the sterile flowers of from 2 to 4 pieces, and in the fertile flowers of from 5 to 8 pieces. The stamens are numerous ; the style simple ; the stigmas three, often forked, and having a wavy or twisted appearance. These latter originate from a 3-cornered 3-celled ovary containing a multitude of little seeds, which changes to a thin- 1 sided capsule with 3 extremely unequal wings. The leaves are always more or ham unequal-sided, and have highly-developed membranous stipules at their base.
It is vary difficult to any with what other natural order this has moat affinity. By Link it hies been stationed Vinbeliffenr, a most uuintelligible association. Jungian, attracted by its highly-developed
stipules, and apparently apetalous flowers, together with the acid flavour which is so prevalent in the order, suspected its near alliance with Pe/yr/wee ; while Lindley, with a greater degree of pro bability, now makes it constitute a member of the Cucurbital alliance of his Eplgynous subela.sa of Exogena with polypetalous flowers.
All the species of the genus, Begonia, of which the order principally consists have irregular fleshy leaves, often richly coloured with crimson, succulent stems, ana neat-looking pink flowers growing in few-flowered panicles. Most of the species at present described may be procured in a living state in the gardens of Europe.
The roots of the various species of Begonia are astringent and slightly bitter. B. Malabarica and B. 'stemma, with others, are used as potherbs in the countries where they grow. Endlicher says that some of the Mexican species are drastic purgatives.