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Another Mystery Takes Wing

Tribune photo by KIM FRANKE-FOLSTAD

What kind of begonia is this? One tag said angel wing, the other said dragon wing.

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Kim Franke-Folstad

Published: December 18, 2008

The great begonia debate continues.

Or maybe it's better described as a begonia mystery.

Last week Penny was talking about the beautiful angel wing begonia she saw while visiting with garden blogger Cindy Glover of Lutz.

Or was it a dragon wing begonia? They couldn't figure it out.

I chimed in on the conversation because I recently purchased a pretty pink begonia for my garden. I'm fairly new to begonias, but I'm quickly becoming a fan.

A tag hanging from my new plant declared it a dragon wing, and I liked that. The leaves, green and rough looking, are shaped like a dragon's wing. The evocative name was part of the reason I chose it.

When I got it home, though, I noticed the label attached to the pot said angel wing begonia. Not the same thing at all in my mind. (Nothing against angels, I'm just saying …)

Turns out dragon wings are a hybrid of angel wing and wax begonias. So there's that part of the puzzle.

For the record, I think Glover's looks like a dragon wing. But I still can't figure out what mine is. It doesn't look at all like the photo of her begonia – or, for that matter, any begonia photo I can find on the Internet. And I've seen at least 100.

I've tapped a couple of sources hoping to get an ID, but haven't heard back yet. In the meantime, I'm asking you – our devoted Dirt readers – if you recognize this plant.

If you do, send me an e-mail at kfrankefolstad@tampatrib.com. Or call me at (813) 259-7523.

Come play in The Dirt at TBO.com, Keyword: Dirt. We provide all the tools.

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