This fascicle covers the family Begoniaceae, which globally contains more than 1500 species or which all but one (Hillebrandia sandwicensis) belong to the genus Begonia. They are found throughout tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. The genus Begonia has been divided into more than 60 sections, of which 16 are represented in Africa. Species belonging to five of these occur in the area covered by this flora together with B. humilis, a naturalised species of the American Section Doratometra.