What does begonia mean?
A begonia is any member of a large genus of flowering plants prized for their vivid blossoms and distinctive, asymmetrical leaves, which are often marked with striking patterns. Native mainly to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, Africa, and Asia, begonias have become among the world's most popular ornamental plants, thriving both outdoors in shaded garden beds and indoors as houseplants. Gardeners commonly distinguish between tuberous begonias, grown for showy flowers, and wax or fibrous-rooted varieties valued for reliable bedding colour. The word also serves informally to refer to the plant's individual blooms. Named in honour of the French botanist-patron Michel Bégon, the genus lends its name to the family Begoniaceae. In everyday English, 'begonia' carries pleasant connotations of gardens, summer colour, and domestic cultivation, appearing frequently in horticultural writing and everyday descriptions of gardens and window boxes.
nounA begonia is a plant of a large genus (Begonia) of tropical and subtropical flowering plants, widely cultivated as ornamentals for their brightly coloured flowers and often strikingly patterned, asymmetrical leaves.
- Any plant of the genus Begonia, cultivated for its colourful flowers and ornamental foliage.
- The flower or bloom of such a plant.
"The window boxes overflowed with scarlet begonias all summer long."
"She planted tuberous begonias along the shaded north side of the house."
"A single pink begonia sat on the café table in a terracotta pot."
Standard regular plural, used when referring to multiple plants or flowers.
"Rows of begonias lined the front path in brilliant shades of red."
The begonia is one of the few plants named after a real person — Michel Bégon, a French colonial administrator who never knew his name would end up on millions of window boxes.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of begonia
The word 'begonia' comes from the New Latin genus name Begonia, coined in the late 17th century in honour of Michel Bégon (1638–1710), a French administrator and patron of botany who served as intendant of the French Caribbean colonies. The plant was described by the French botanist Charles Plumier, who named the genus after Bégon. Related terms include the family name Begoniaceae; it shares its commemorative naming pattern with other genera-turned-words such as fuchsia and dahlia.
How begonia is actually used
Used both for the plant and loosely for its individual blooms; plural 'begonias' is common when referring to beds or displays.
Easily confused with begonia
A petunia is an unrelated garden flower of the nightshade family with trumpet-shaped blooms, whereas a begonia is grown for its fleshy leaves as well as its flowers.