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Field ManualAll plants

Photo: Cliff from I now live in Arlington, VA (Outside Washington DC), USA, via Wikimedia CommonsLicense: CC BY 2.0

Polka Dot Begonia

Begonia maculata Raddi

Family: BegoniaceaeOrigin: Brazil

  • Silver-Spotted Foliage
  • Asymmetric Leaves
  • Cane Type

Pet & Human Safety

People: Not researchedPets: Toxic to pets
Hazardous parts
Not yet checked.
Preparation
not applicable: not a food plant
Hazard type
No poison information was found in the sources used. That is not a statement that the plant is safe.
Hazard route
Not yet checked.
How complete this information is
We have not researched the safety of this plant yet.

Toxic to pets
Toxic to pets

Toxic to dogs, cats, and horses per ASPCA (Begonia, all species): soluble calcium oxalates; the most toxic part is underground (the tuber/rhizome). Signs: vomiting and drooling in dogs and cats; kidney failure in grazing animals.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones

10 - 11 (houseplant elsewhere)

Mature size

Cane types: 2-4 ft, upright and arching.

Soil & Drainage
Pruning & Flush Rhythm
Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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Anatomy & Guilds

Botanical Anatomy & Characteristics

How the flowers and leaves are built and which pollinators visit, where we have them.

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Field Doctor

Field Doctor

What can go wrong with this plant and what to do about it, where we have them.

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Vintage Plates

Vintage Plates

Old botanical drawings from public libraries are in the app, for plants where we have them.

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Sources

  1. ASPCA, Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Begonia (whole-genus page, Begonia spp.)
  2. Clemson HGIC, Growing Begonias Indoors
  3. UF/IFAS Mid-Florida Research and Education Center

How we choose sources

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