Begonia promethea (syn. beccarii) was originally discovered in 1906 by Henry Ridley, who said that it was “perhaps the most worthy of cultivation among the Bornean species.” More than 100 years since its discovery, it was rediscovered by Michael Lo Promethea and beccarii are now synonymous, and, per the etiquette of scientific nomenclature, the original name is the one that sticks.

B. promethea is in the section Petermania and is only found at three localities, including ones in Sarawak, Malaysia, and West Kalimantan.  The habitat is described as being lowland, “50-150 m elevation, growing in wet, shaded, and almost vertical sandstone cliffs or basalt cliffs with water spray, sometimes in direct sunlight. Very local but can densely cover the rock face in small patches.”

The last photo is representative of the plants available. They are well rooted and shipped meticulously in their pots.