Borneo is well recognized to be the country that produces some of the world’s most incredible biodiversity, though a field in which they are unrivaled is that of small forest floor plants. The genus Begonia has taken a foothold into the rocky cliffs and quick-moving streams of Sabah, and diversified into a myriad of shapes and colors; with dizzying levels of difference. Begonia amphioxus, one of many Sabah Begonias, is a wholly unique plant. It’s not just dainty, but robust; a surprising level of drought and light resistance pushed into such a tiny package; this diminutive species mimics the huge, almost small trees produced by larger cane type Begonias, while fitting the perfect role in the terrarium. Since B. amphioxus doesn’t get much larger than 10 inches tall, it can fit more than comfortably into the backdrop or even centerpiece slot of the average vivarium; a necessary bit of visible structure and an ample provider of shade for understory mosses and ferns to establish. To put it frankly, Begonia amphioxus is the perfect ‘terrarium tree’.
