Begonia masoniana

Begonia masoniana, commonly known as the Iron Cross begonia, is a species of begonia prized for its decorative leaves. Begonias belong to the genus Begonia within the family Begoniaceae, which comprises over 2,000 species native to tropical and subtropical regions.12

These plants are typically herbaceous with succulent stems and often asymmetrical leaves. Begonia flowers usually have four colored tepals in two different-sized pairs, with colors ranging from pink to red, yellow, or white. While many begonias are grown for their flowers, B. masoniana is particularly noted for its attractive foliage, which is green, puckered, and splotched with brown. Most begonias require protection from strong sunlight and dry conditions, making them suitable for indoor cultivation in controlled environments.13