Record Number
2227
PROSEA Handbook Number
8: Vegetables
Taxon
Begonia L.
Family
BEGONIACEAE
Major Taxa and Synonyms
Major species and synonyms
— Begonia hirtella Link.
— Begonia muricata Blume, synonym: Begonia tuberosa Lamk.
— Begonia hirtella Link.
— Begonia muricata Blume, synonym: Begonia tuberosa Lamk.
Vernacular Names
— Begonia hirtella: Bearded begonia (En). Indonesia: hariyang bulu (West Java).
— Begonia muricata: Indonesia: hariyang peucang (West Java), daun asam, tai bawi (Ambon). Vietnam: thu h[ar]i d[uw][owf]ng, chua khan.
— Begonia muricata: Indonesia: hariyang peucang (West Java), daun asam, tai bawi (Ambon). Vietnam: thu h[ar]i d[uw][owf]ng, chua khan.
Distribution
Begonia hirtella is native to the West Indies, Brazil and Peru. In Malaysia and Indonesia it is an escape from cultivation. Begonia muricata is indigenous to Indonesia and is occasionally cultivated elsewhere.
Uses
The sour leaves and stems are eaten raw or cooked in Indonesia. The plants are also used as ornamentals.
Observations
Juicy herbs, up to 40 cm (Begonia hirtella) or 90 cm (Begonia muricata) tall. Leaf-blades obliquely ovate-cordate, 2.5 cm x 2—7 cm in Begonia hirtella, 4.5—17.5 cm x 4.5—13 cm in Begonia muricata, petioles short in Begonia hirtella, up to 25 cm long in Begonia muricata. Both species like humid, stony sites, but Begonia muricata grows at higher altitudes (1000—2000 m) than Begonia hirtella (up to 1300 m). In New Guinea and the Philippines several other Begonia species are eaten as a vegetable.
Selected Sources
[7]Backer, C.A. & Bakhuizen van den Brink Jr, R.C., 1963–1968. Flora of Java. 3 volumes. Wolters-Noordhoff, Groningen, the Netherlands. Vol.1 (1963) 647 pp., Vol.2 (1965) 641 pp., Vol. 3 (1968) 761 pp.
[11]Barrau, J., 1962. Les plantes alimentaires de l'Océanie, origines, distribution et usages [The edible plants of Oceania, origins, distribution and uses]. University of Aix-Marseille, Faculty of Sciences, Thesis No 71. 275 pp.
[44]Heyne, K., 1927. De nuttige planten van Nederlandsch Indië [The useful plants of the Dutch East Indies]. 2nd edition. 3 volumes. Departement van Landbouw, Nijverheid en Handel in Nederlandsch Indië. 1953 pp. (3rd edition, 1950. van Hoeve, 's-G
[11]Barrau, J., 1962. Les plantes alimentaires de l'Océanie, origines, distribution et usages [The edible plants of Oceania, origins, distribution and uses]. University of Aix-Marseille, Faculty of Sciences, Thesis No 71. 275 pp.
[44]Heyne, K., 1927. De nuttige planten van Nederlandsch Indië [The useful plants of the Dutch East Indies]. 2nd edition. 3 volumes. Departement van Landbouw, Nijverheid en Handel in Nederlandsch Indië. 1953 pp. (3rd edition, 1950. van Hoeve, 's-G
Author(s)
M.H. van den Bergh
Correct Citation of this Article
Van den Bergh, M.H., 1993. Begonia L.. In: Siemonsma, J.S and Piluek, K (Editors): Plant Resources of South-East Asia No 8: Vegetables. PROSEA Foundation, Bogor, Indonesia. Database record: prota4u.org/prosea
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