Ashwagandha
Withania somnifera
Withania somnifera, commonly called ashwagandha or Indian ginseng, is a resilient Solanaceae shrub famed for …
Begonia-leaved Withania (Withania begonifolia)
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Withania begonifolia - Overview and Botanical Details | Botanical Encyclopedia
Native to parts of South and East Asia, Withania begonifolia features distinctive begonia-like leaves that set it apart from other members of its genus. First described scientifically under another name by William Roxburgh, it was later placed in the genus Withania by Hunziker and Barboza. The plant is found in moist forest understories and shaded rocky areas.
Taxonomy
- ∟ царство Plantae
- ∟ division Tracheophytes (Vascular Plants)
- ∟ subdivision Spermatophytes (Seed plants)
- ∟ Angiosperms
- ∟ mesangiosperms (Core angiosperms)
- ∟ eudicots
- ∟ asterids
- ∟ order Solanales
- ∟ family Solanaceae
- ∟ subfamily Solanoideae
- ∟ tribe Physaleae
- ∟ genus Withania (ashwagandha)
- ∟ species Withania begonifolia (Begonia-leaved Withania)
Morphology
The most striking feature of this species is its petiolate, asymmetric leaves that superficially resemble those of begonias. These leaves are typically ovate to elliptic, with prominent venation and slightly undulate margins. The stems are herbaceous or woody at the base, often pubescent.
Its flowers are small, bell-shaped, and greenish-white, borne in axillary clusters. The resulting fruit is a small, succulent berry enclosed within a slightly accrescent calyx.
Interesting facts
The specific epithet begonifolia directly highlights the plant's unusual leaf shape, which mimics the foliage of the unrelated genus Begonia. This morphological adaptation is relatively rare within the nightshade family, Solanaceae. Its taxonomic history is complex, having undergone several reclassifications before settling in the genus Withania.
Geography of distribution
- India
- Nepal
Sources
- POWO (2026): Plants of the World Online. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
- IPNI: International Plant Names Index.
- GBIF: Global Biodiversity Information Facility.
See also
Shrubby winter cherry
Withania frutescens
A heavily branched Mediterranean evergreen shrub featuring tortuous woody stems, heart-shaped leaves, and green-to-red berries …
Indian rennet
Withania coagulans
A small gray-white shrub native to South Asia and the Middle East, renowned for its …
Orobal
Withania aristata
An endemic evergreen shrub of the Canary Islands and North Africa, notable for its yellowish-green …