Full Specimen Plate
Begonia amphioxus
Spotted Cane Begonia
Aroid Atlas Price Guide
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Pricing Data Key
Community price estimate based on limited sales history
Market Analysis
Begonia amphioxus Price Guide & Auction Value
Historical eBay auction metrics and live retailer listings updated weekly.
No eBay auction history available yet. Data is collected automatically as sales appear on eBay UK.
Before You Buy
Species-specific things to check when evaluating a listing
- Check for powdery mildew — a white dusty coating on leaf surfaces, especially in dry conditions; it spreads rapidly between plants
- Inspect for mealybugs at leaf axils and the underside of stems where they hide in white cottony deposits
- Rhizome begonias should show firm, healthy rhizome tissue — avoid plants with soft, discoloured rhizomes
- Most begonias ship well as leaf cuttings — if buying a cutting, ensure it has a healthy petiole and no signs of rot at the cut end
Begonia amphioxus Morphology
About Begonia amphioxus
Begonia amphioxus, described by Sands, is a rare upright species from the humid tropical forests of Sabah in northern Borneo, typically found on moist limestone outcrops, humus-rich soil and decaying leaf litter in warm, constantly humid, shaded understory conditions. The slender, segmented red canes carry narrow, lanceolate leaves of olive to bronzy green with vivid red venation, red margins and numerous silvery-pink spots, the undersides entirely red. The combination of the cane habit, narrow pointed leaf form and dense spotting and venation makes it one of the most recognisable Begonia species in cultivation, and it commands correspondingly high prices among collectors.
Native Range
Sabah, Malaysian Borneo
Propagation Guide
How to Propagate Begonia amphioxus
3-5 months
Cultivar character is preserved through vegetative cuttings
Most rhizomatous begonias root readily from leaf sections or petiole cuttings placed on moist substrate. Keep warm and humid until plantlets emerge at leaf margins.
Care Guide
Begonia amphioxus Care Guide & Growing Conditions
Light, well-draining mix: 50% perlite, 30% potting compost, 20% orchid bark. Begonias are susceptible to root rot — excellent drainage is essential.
Allow the top half of the substrate to dry between waterings. Water at the base — wet leaves invite fungal problems. Reduce in winter.
50–70%. More tolerant of average indoor humidity than tropical aroids, but consistent moisture prevents crispy leaf margins.
Balanced liquid fertiliser at quarter strength every 2–3 weeks during the growing season. Do not feed in winter.
Every 12–18 months in spring. Begonias like shallow, wide pots that suit rhizomatous growth. Don't bury the rhizome.
Common Problems
Powdery mildew
Poor air circulation combined with high humidity
Improve airflow; avoid wetting leaves; treat with a dilute bicarbonate of soda spray
Botrytis (grey mould)
Overwatering, dead leaves left on plant, poor air circulation
Remove dead foliage promptly; increase airflow; reduce watering
Leggy stems
Insufficient light
Move to a brighter position — begonias need good indirect light to maintain compact growth
Spotted Lancelets from Borneo
A tiny, red-pink spotted begonia from Sabah in northern Borneo with elongated lance-shaped leaves dotted with irregular spots that are more pink than red in most light conditions. Amphioxus is the name of a genus of lancelets — a reference to the leaf shape rather than any vertebrate ambition. Genuinely uncommon in cultivation despite accessible pricing; the microhabitats of Bornean limestone forest present a consistent challenge to replicate in a British terrarium context. High humidity, good drainage, bright indirect light in a humid cabinet. Worth attempting for the patient collector.
Also in: Natural Silver & Spot Patterning
Wild species carrying naturally occurring leaf spotting or striping, distinct from the chimeric variegation seen in cultivated colour-break forms.
