Begonia

Wow, that is a begonia!!! Nice.

Alexandramou:

There's some big begonias which grow in California. Some cane varieties can grow to greater than 25ft/7.6m tall.

It looks like strong winds can snap it in half! No good for around here at the moment.

Wow, 25 ft.?! Do they get thick trunks at the base, Delonix?

Lovely plant - I like Begonia, Kew has a good collection.

Alexandramou:

Yes, most begonias are not very wind-tolerant! This plant is in the Botanical Building -- the laths slow the winds...so it's not too windy in this building.

Tugbrethil:

Yes, the trunks get pretty thick. I saw the largest ones on the central California coast...around Santa Cruz, Capitola area. I wish I had a digital camera when I saw them.

Rbtkew:

I know there's so many species, varieties of begonia.

Raul Hernandez. Its a big Begonia. I had it ready to bloom..and the cats had thrashed it..broke both large stems. Two years of growing gone.
The perils of small yards and pets or kids. Try men's souls!

So sorry to hear about the damage to your Begonia! I know it can be disappointing to have such a beautiful plant damaged.

It's actually Begonia 'Paul Hernandez'. Yes, it's a very large, beautiful Begonia.