Begonia Metallica

Begonia metallica has large ovate, lobed dark green leaves, which are its most attractive feature. They have a silvery metallic sheen and tiny hairs. Young leaves also have red veins. All the leaves have a red underside which provides an attractive contrast with the green of the upper surface. Begonia metallica originates in Brazil where it can grow to a height of 1 metre. Like many other begonia species, it produces pale pink flowers which in this case are hairy. At the centre of the male flowers there are rather strange bright yellow stamens.