Begonia heracleifolia, also known as the star begonia, is a flowering plant found in Mexico and northern Central America. It has also been introduced to other regions such as Cuba, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, and Trinidad and Tobago. This species is able to thrive in dry conditions and has a wide range of genetic and physical characteristics, especially in its leaves.

Synonyms Top

Scientific name	Authority	First published in
Begonia heracleifolia var. longipila	(Lem.) A.DC.	Prodr. 15 (1):335. (1864)
Begonia heracleifolia var. nigricans	Hook.	Bot. Mag. 83, pl.4983. (1857)
Begonia heracleifolia var. punctata	(Klotzsch ex Link, Klotzsch & Otto) A.DC.	Prodr. [A. P. de Candolle] 15(1): 335. 1864 [May 1864]
Begonia heracleifolia f. punctata	(Klotzsch) Voss	Vilm. Blumengärtn. ed. 3 , 1: 359 (1894)
Begonia longipila	Lem.	Ill. Hort. 7:55. (1860)
Begonia nigrescens	Van Houtte ex Otto	Hamburger Garten–Blumenzeitung 8:9. (1852)
Begonia punctata	Klotzsch	in Link J.H.F., Klotzsch J.F. & Otto C.F., Icon. Pl. Rar. 1 (17):t. 7, pl.7. (1840)
Begonia radiata	Graham	Edinburgh New Philos. J. 1833:182. (1833)
Begonia tanacetifolia	hort. ex Steud.	Nomencl. Bot. , ed. 2, 1: 194 (1840)
Begonia trigonoptera	Sprague	Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew. 1921:218. (1921)
Gireoudia heracleifolia	(Schltdl. & Cham.) Klotzsch	Ber. Bekanntm. Verh. Konigl. Presuss. Akad. Wiss. Berlin 125. (1854)
Gireoudia heracleifolia var. punctata	(Klotzsch) Klotzsch	Abh. Kon. Akad. Wiss. Berlin. 1854:215. (1855)
Gireoudia heracleifolia var. viridis	Klotzsch	Abh. Kon. Akad. Wiss. Berlin. 1854:215. (1855)
Gireoudia punctata	(Klotzsch) Klotzsch	Ber. Bekanntm. Verh. Konigl. Presuss. Akad. Wiss. Berlin 125. (1854)
Begonia heracleifolia var. paramadilio	hort.	Begonias 286. (1938)
Eupetalum punctatum	(Klotzsch) Paxton	Pocket Bot. Dict. , ed. 2(Suppl.): 28 (1849)
Begonia heracleifolia var. nigricans	(Hook.) A.DC.	Prodr. 15(1): 335 1864
Begonia tenacetifolia	hort. ex Graham	Edinburgh New Philos. J. 1833:182. (1833)
Begonia heracleifolia var. punctata	Cels	Ann. Fl. Pomone 104. (1842)
Begonia jatrophifolia	Cels	Ann. Fl. Pomone 10:104. (1842)
Begonia nigricans	hort. ex Klotzsch	Abh. Kon. Akad. Wiss. Berlin. 215

Common names Top

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Filter by language:

Language	Common/alternative name
English	starleaf begonia
Belarusian	бягонія баршчэўнікалістая
Polish	begonia barszczolistna
Vietnamese	thu hải đường lá thầu dầu
Chinese	白芷叶秋海棠

Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top

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Varieties (abbr. var.) Top

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Name	Authority	First published in
Begonia heracleifolia var. heracleifolia
Begonia heracleifolia var. sunderbruckii	hort. ex C.Chev.	Begonias 286. (1938)

Subvarieties (abbr. subvar.) Top

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Forms (abbr. f.) Top

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Germination/Propagation Top

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No germination or propagation data was added yet.

Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

Legend for the distribution data:

- Doubtful data

- Extinct

- Introduced

- Native

Northern America click to expand
- Mexico
  - Mexico Central
  - Mexico Gulf
  - Mexico Northeast
  - Mexico Northwest
  - Mexico Southeast
  - Mexico Southwest

Southern America click to expand
- Caribbean
  - Cuba
  - Dominican Republic
  - Haiti
  - Puerto Rico
  - Trinidad-Tobago
- Central America
  - Belize
  - El Salvador
  - Guatemala
  - Honduras

Links to other databases Top

Suggest others/fix!

Database	ID/link to page
World Flora Online	wfo-0000824247
USDA Plants	BEHE2
Tropicos	3400431
KEW	urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:104828-1
The Plant List	kew-361818
Open Tree Of Life	488919
NCBI Taxonomy	200009
IPNI	104828-1
iNaturalist	179421
GBIF	2874712
EOL	594780
USDA GRIN	406940
Wikipedia	Begonia_heracleifolia

Genomes (via NCBI) Top

No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.

Scientific Literature Top

Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.

Title

Authors

Publication

Released

IDs

Recent Advances in the Application of Cucurbitacins as Anticancer Agents

Zieniuk B, Pawełkowicz M

Metabolites

14-Oct-2023

PMCID:	PMC10608718
doi:	10.3390/metabo13101081
PMID:	37887406

Stomatal clustering in Begonia improves water use efficiency by modulating stomatal movement and leaf structure

Tsai M, Kuan C, Guo Z, Yang H, Chung K, Ho CK

Plant Environ Interact

04-Jul-2022

PMCID:	PMC10168073
doi:	10.1002/pei3.10086
PMID:	37283607

Traditional Herbal Medicine in Mesoamerica: Toward Its Evidence Base for Improving Universal Health Coverage

Geck MS, Cristians S, Berger-González M, Casu L, Heinrich M, Leonti M

Front Pharmacol

31-Jul-2020

PMCID:	PMC7411306
doi:	10.3389/fphar.2020.01160
PMID:	32848768

Exchange of medicinal plant information in California missions

McBride JR, Cavero RY, Cheshire AL, Calvo MI, McBride DL

J Ethnobiol Ethnomed

15-Jun-2020

PMCID:	PMC7296748
doi:	10.1186/s13002-020-00388-y
PMID:	32539795

Cucurbitacin B Activates Bitter-Sensing Gustatory Receptor Neurons via Gustatory Receptor 33a in Drosophila melanogaster

Rimal S, Sang J, Dhakal S, Lee Y

Mol Cells

13-May-2020

PMCID:	PMC7332364
doi:	10.14348/molcells.2020.0019
PMID:	32451368

In planta high levels of hydrolysable tannins inhibit peroxidase mediated anthocyanin degradation and maintain abaxially red leaves of Excoecaria Cochinchinensis

Luo H, Li W, Zhang X, Deng S, Xu Q, Hou T, Pang X, Zhang Z, Zhang X

BMC Plant Biol

15-Jul-2019

PMCID:	PMC6632198
doi:	10.1186/s12870-019-1903-y
PMID:	31307378

Cucurbitacin B Induces Hypoglycemic Effect in Diabetic Mice by Regulation of AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Alpha and Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 via Bitter Taste Receptor Signaling

Kim KH, Lee IS, Park JY, Kim Y, An EJ, Jang HJ

Front Pharmacol

21-Sep-2018

PMCID:	PMC6161541
doi:	10.3389/fphar.2018.01071
PMID:	30298009

Autofluorescence study and selected cyanidin quantification in the Jewel orchids Anoectochilus sp. and Ludisia discolor

Poobathy R, Zakaria R, Murugaiyah V, Subramaniam S

PLoS One

12-Apr-2018

PMCID:	PMC5896983
doi:	10.1371/journal.pone.0195642
PMID:	29649288

Seasonal variation in phytochemicals and nutraceutical potential of Begonia nelumbiifolia consumed in Puebla, México

Villa-Ruano N, Pacheco-Hernández Y, Cruz-Durán R, Lozoya-Gloria E, Betancourt-Jiménez MG

J Food Sci Technol

08-Apr-2017

PMCID:	PMC5430179
doi:	10.1007/s13197-017-2576-x
PMID:	28559607

Stomatal clustering in Begonia associates with the kinetics of leaf gaseous exchange and influences water use efficiency

Papanatsiou M, Amtmann A, Blatt MR

J Exp Bot

28-Mar-2017

PMCID:	PMC5447881
doi:	10.1093/jxb/erx072
PMID:	28369641

Genetic diversity and structure of wild populations of Carica papaya in Northern Mesoamerica inferred by nuclear microsatellites and chloroplast markers

Chávez-Pesqueira M, Núñez-Farfán J

Ann Bot

06-Oct-2016

PMCID:	PMC5155600
doi:	10.1093/aob/mcw183
PMID:	27974326

A mistletoe tale: postglacial invasion of Psittacanthus schiedeanus (Loranthaceae) to Mesoamerican cloud forests revealed by molecular data and species distribution modeling

Ornelas JF, Gándara E, Vásquez-Aguilar AA, Ramírez-Barahona S, Ortiz-Rodriguez AE, González C, Mejía Saules MT, Ruiz-Sanchez E

BMC Evol Biol

12-Apr-2016

PMCID:	PMC4830056
doi:	10.1186/s12862-016-0648-6
PMID:	27071983

Genetic differentiation and species cohesion in two widespread Central American Begonia species

Twyford AD, Kidner CA, Ennos RA

Heredity (Edinb)

13-Nov-2013

PMCID:	PMC3931582
doi:	10.1038/hdy.2013.116
PMID:	24220088

Development and characterization of microsatellite markers for Central American Begonia sect. Gireoudia (Begoniaceae)

Twyford AD, Ennos RA, Kidner CA

Appl Plant Sci

30-Apr-2013

PMCID:	PMC4105041
doi:	10.3732/apps.1200499
PMID:	25202548

The role of glacial cycles in promoting genetic diversity in the Neotropics: the case of cloud forests during the Last Glacial Maximum

Ramírez-Barahona S, Eguiarte LE

Ecol Evol

25-Jan-2013

PMCID:	PMC3605859
doi:	10.1002/ece3.483
PMID:	23531632

Phytochemical Profile Top

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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
You can also contribute to this by clicking here.

Name	PubChem ID	Canonical SMILES	MW	Found in	Proof
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acid esters / Fatty acid methyl esters
Methyl arachidate	14259	Click to see CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)OC	326.60	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957460
Methyl behenate	13584	Click to see CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)OC	354.60	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957460
Methyl palmitate	8181	Click to see CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)OC	270.50	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957460
Methyl Stearate	8201	Click to see CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)OC	298.50	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957460
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Lineolic acids and derivatives
Methyl linoleate	5284421	Click to see CCCCCC=CCC=CCCCCCCCC(=O)OC	294.50	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957460
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Cucurbitacins
(8S,9R,10S,13R,14S)-17-[(2R)-2,6-dihydroxy-6-methyl-3-oxohept-4-en-2-yl]-2,16-dihydroxy-4,4,9,13,14-pentamethyl-2,7,8,10,12,15,16,17-octahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthrene-3,11-dione	138113434	Click to see CC1(C2=CCC3C4(CC(C(C4(CC(=O)C3(C2CC(C1=O)O)C)C)C(C)(C(=O)C=CC(C)(C)O)O)O)C)C	516.70	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957460
[6-(2,16-dihydroxy-4,4,9,13,14-pentamethyl-3,11-dioxo-2,7,8,10,12,15,16,17-octahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-17-yl)-6-hydroxy-2-methyl-5-oxohept-3-en-2-yl] acetate	2885	Click to see CC(=O)OC(C)(C)C=CC(=O)C(C)(C1C(CC2(C1(CC(=O)C3(C2CC=C4C3CC(C(=O)C4(C)C)O)C)C)C)O)O	558.70	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957460
17-(2,6-dihydroxy-6-methyl-3-oxohept-4-en-2-yl)-2,16-dihydroxy-4,4,9,13,14-pentamethyl-2,7,8,10,12,15,16,17-octahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthrene-3,11-dione	2886	Click to see CC1(C2=CCC3C4(CC(C(C4(CC(=O)C3(C2CC(C1=O)O)C)C)C(C)(C(=O)C=CC(C)(C)O)O)O)C)C	516.70	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957460
17-(2,6-Dihydroxy-6-methyl-3-oxoheptan-2-yl)-2,3,16-trihydroxy-4,4,9,13,14-pentamethyl-1,2,3,7,8,10,12,15,16,17-decahydrocyclopenta[a]phenanthren-11-one	4482418	Click to see CC1(C(C(CC2C1=CCC3C2(C(=O)CC4(C3(CC(C4C(C)(C(=O)CCC(C)(C)O)O)O)C)C)C)O)O)C	520.70	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957460
23,24-dihydrocucurbitacin D	180535	Click to see CC1(C2=CCC3C4(CC(C(C4(CC(=O)C3(C2CC(C1=O)O)C)C)C(C)(C(=O)CCC(C)(C)O)O)O)C)C	518.70	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957460
Cucurbitacin B	5281316	Click to see CC(=O)OC(C)(C)C=CC(=O)C(C)(C1C(CC2(C1(CC(=O)C3(C2CC=C4C3CC(C(=O)C4(C)C)O)C)C)C)O)O	558.70	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957460
Cucurbitacin D	5281318	Click to see CC1(C2=CCC3C4(CC(C(C4(CC(=O)C3(C2CC(C1=O)O)C)C)C(C)(C(=O)C=CC(C)(C)O)O)O)C)C	516.70	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957460
Cucurbitacin IIb	10481797	Click to see CC1(C(C(CC2C1=CCC3C2(C(=O)CC4(C3(CC(C4C(C)(C(=O)CCC(C)(C)O)O)O)C)C)C)O)O)C	520.70	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957460
Tetrahydrocucurbitacin I	270059	Click to see CC1(C2=CCC3C4(CC(C(C4(CC(=O)C3(C2CC(C1=O)O)C)C)C(C)(C(=O)CCC(C)(C)O)O)O)C)C	518.70	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957460
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Steroidal glycosides / Steroidal saponins / Cucurbitacin glycosides
[6-hydroxy-6-[16-hydroxy-4,4,9,13,14-pentamethyl-3,11-dioxo-2-[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-2,7,8,10,12,15,16,17-octahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-17-yl]-2-methyl-5-oxohept-3-en-2-yl] acetate	72968961	Click to see CC(=O)OC(C)(C)C=CC(=O)C(C)(C1C(CC2(C1(CC(=O)C3(C2CC=C4C3CC(C(=O)C4(C)C)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)C)C)C)O)O	720.80	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957460
17-(2,6-dihydroxy-6-methyl-3-oxohept-4-en-2-yl)-16-hydroxy-4,4,9,13,14-pentamethyl-2-[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-2,7,8,10,12,15,16,17-octahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthrene-3,11-dione	73804168	Click to see CC1(C2=CCC3C4(CC(C(C4(CC(=O)C3(C2CC(C1=O)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)C)C)C(C)(C(=O)C=CC(C)(C)O)O)O)C)C	678.80	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957460
Arvenin I	6441104	Click to see CC(=O)OC(C)(C)C=CC(=O)C(C)(C1C(CC2(C1(CC(=O)C3(C2CC=C4C3CC(C(=O)C4(C)C)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)C)C)C)O)O	720.80	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957460
arvenin III	21579640	Click to see CC1(C2=CCC3C4(CC(C(C4(CC(=O)C3(C2CC(C1=O)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)C)C)C(C)(C(=O)C=CC(C)(C)O)O)O)C)C	678.80	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957460
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives
alpha-Spinasterin	5281331	Click to see CCC(C=CC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2=CCC4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C)C(C)C	412.70	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957460
Chondrillasterol	5283663	Click to see CCC(C=CC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2=CCC4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C)C(C)C	412.70	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957460
Stigmasterol	5280794	Click to see CCC(C=CC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C)C(C)C	412.70	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957460
Stigmasterol glucoside	6602508	Click to see CCC(C=CC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)C)C)C(C)C	574.80	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957460

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Begonia heracleifolia

Table of Contents

Details Top

Description Top

Synonyms Top

Common names Top

Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top

Varieties (abbr. var.) Top

Subvarieties (abbr. subvar.) Top

Forms (abbr. f.) Top

Germination/Propagation Top

Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

Links to other databases Top

Genomes (via NCBI) Top

Scientific Literature Top

Phytochemical Profile Top

Biological Material Top

Contributors Top

Collections Top