but what kind? i can't find anything similar at all .
the seller at the green market had a few unusual plants, but did not know the names. He said it's some kind of rhizomatous begonia, but to me it looks more like cane begonia - it branches like crazy! and leaves are set in very densely together.
there is even a little flower emerging from under the leaf at the tip - that looks like begonia type flower.
there is a noticeable swirl to the leaves, but they are very round.
underside is burgundy and stem is heavily branching - so looks like almost a trailer.
leaves are very fleshy and hairy and there is burgundy cast to the leaves and young growth is quite red.

It looks like Begonia 'Bonita Shea'

'Bonita Shea' is a lovely Begonia! It looks great in a hanging basket. It grows well and cuttings root easily.

that was fast :)! and you're right - it looks just like it.
any idea how large the leaves might get? so far they are about 2.5" and getting bigger it seems. also perhaps it was getting way too much light, since the leaves are so-o crowded together?
i see that it is listed at many sites as an annual for outdoors. can i keep it over winter or will it decline? is the culture similar to cane begonias? and i don't see much info on humidity ...
but i'm quite happy - it looks smashing! one branch is very long - i want to cut and root it - so in moist perlite and tented?

'Bonita Shea' stays on the smaller side. This photo will give you an idea of what it looks like in a standard hanging basket.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_iEqIjt-G...

According to some, it may be the same variety as Manaus, U002, and 'Amnesia' but I don't claim to know.
My 'Bonita Shea' came from the University of Georgia Trial Gardens and it has tested well there for many years. It used to be part of the "Athens Select" collection of plants (before that line went defunct. )

That crowded look of the leaves is normal for this plant. It can tolerate more sun than many Begonias but is good in part shade, too. It is heat tolerant. Like most Begonias, it doesn't like to have soggy roots. It likes a moist, but well-drained mix. Overall, it is a very easy plant.

I started my cuttings in a peat/perlite/vermiculite mix but perlite and tent should probably work fine.

Yes, you can overwinter it inside over the winter.

thanks a lot!