TL;DR
Emma Freud received a begonia cutting that she traced back through several owners to a plant reportedly given by Sigmund Freud in the 1930s. The small plant has prompted her to explore a family history that had been largely omitted from her childhood.
What happened
In March, Emma Freud was given a small begonia cutting as a thank-you after hosting a private screening of a low-budget British film. The cutting came from the co-writer and star, Tom Basden, whose plant descended through a chain of gifts: his father-in-law Barry Walsh, the casting director Corinne Rodriguez, the actor Sally Miles, and the Norwegian soprano Kirsten Flagstad. Emma’s reporting traces that line back to a cutting Sigmund Freud is said to have passed on in the 1930s. Because plant cuttings produce genetically identical clones of the original, Emma describes the sprig as a biological link to her great-grandfather. The find prompted her to examine how the Freud name had been handled in her family—her father avoided mention of Sigmund, removing books and photographs and discouraging discussion—so the tiny plant became an unexpected connection to a figure largely absent from her upbringing.
Why it matters
- The begonia acts as a tangible, biological connection to a prominent historical figure and to family memory.
- It illustrates how ordinary objects can carry cultural and interpersonal histories across generations.
- The story highlights how private family choices shape public understanding of prominent ancestors.
- It underscores how vegetative propagation (cuttings) preserves genetic continuity across time and owners.
Key facts
- Emma Freud received the begonia cutting from actor and writer Tom Basden after hosting a film screening.
- Basden’s plant descended from his father-in-law Barry Walsh, who received it from casting director Corinne Rodriguez (article references 2017 for that gift).
- Corinne Rodriguez had earlier received a cutting from actor Sally Miles, who had been given one by soprano Kirsten Flagstad.
- According to Emma’s account, Kirsten Flagstad was given a cutting by Sigmund Freud in the 1930s.
- Emma notes that cuttings produce genetically identical plants to their source, so successive cuttings remain clones of the original.
- Emma’s father, Clement Freud, discouraged mention of Sigmund in the household and avoided questions about him publicly.
- Kirsten Flagstad performed at the opening of the Mermaid theatre’s refurbished barn in 1951; Bernard Miles ran the Mermaid theatre and was involved in that production.
What to watch next
- Whether any scientific testing (DNA or otherwise) will be undertaken to verify the cutting's provenance — not confirmed in the source.
- If Emma Freud or others publish further details or documentation about the begonia’s chain of custody — not confirmed in the source.
- Any public display, conservation effort or formal preservation of the cutting or its descendants — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Cutting: A piece taken from a plant (stem, leaf or root) used to grow a new plant that is genetically identical to the parent.
- Begonia: A genus of flowering plants commonly kept as houseplants or garden ornamentals; many species propagate readily from cuttings.
- Clone (in plants): An organism produced asexually from a single ancestor so that it shares the same genetic makeup as that ancestor.
- Mermaid theatre: A small London theatre founded by Bernard Miles; the article recounts its postwar opening and association with visiting performers.
Reader FAQ
Did Sigmund Freud give the original begonia cutting?
According to Emma Freud’s account in the source, Sigmund Freud gave a cutting to Kirsten Flagstad in the 1930s.
Is the current plant genetically identical to Freud’s original?
The article explains that plant cuttings produce genetically identical clones, but it does not report any scientific verification specific to this plant.
Why was Sigmund Freud absent from family discussion?
Emma says her father discouraged mention of Sigmund and avoided discussing him; broader motives beyond that are not detailed in the source.
Has the plant’s provenance been independently proven?
Not confirmed in the source.
Get full access to the app & website: Subscribe First Person Friday, 2 January 2026 The strange tale of Sigmund Freud’s begonia How the gift of a plant helped Emma…
Sources
- Sigmund Freud's Begonia
- The Strange Tale of Sigmund Freud's Begonia
- Family history was a forbidden subject – until the gift of a …
- Freud's Begonia | Barry J Walsh
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