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Begonia togashii (Begoniaceae: Sect. Platycentrum), a New Species from Central Myanmar

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Nobuyuki Tanaka at National Museum of Nature and Science
Nobuyuki Tanaka
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Begonia togashii Nob. Tanaka & C.-I Peng (Begoniaceae), a new species from central Myanmar is described and illustrated. The presence of a rhizome, basal protandrous staminate flowers and distal pistillate flowers, 2-locular ovaries and placentas with two branches place it in sect. Platycentrum A. DC. It is somewhat similar to Begonia thomsonii A. DC., which was described from India, but is also in northern Myanmar. Begonia togashii, however, is distinct in having sub-symmetric basal leaves with a glabrous upper surface, 3-tepalled carpellate flowers and glabrous capsules. Thus far B. togashii is known only from Myanmar.
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Begonia L. (Begoniaceae) is a pantropical ge-
nus containing about 1795 species of herbs,
shrubs, and climbers divided into 63 sections
(Doorenbos et al. 1998, Aitawade & Yadav 2012).
They are mainly distributed in the tropics and
subtropics of South America, Africa and Asia
(Nguyen 2004). Despite many new species hav-
ing been described from the Indo-Chinese re-
gions in this decade (e.g., Nguyen 2004, Nguyen
et al. 2010, Averyanov & Ngyuen 2012, Peng et
al. 2007, 2014a, b, 2015a, b), there are still many
potential novelties in this region. Myanmar is bo-
tanically a most interesting country, but there
have been no critical oristic surveys for nearly
half a century. Thus far 60 species of Begonia
have been recorded from Myanmar (Hughes
2008, Tanaka & Hughes 2007, Tanaka & Hayami
2011, Peng et al. 2014).
In the course of identifying specimens col-
lected in Pin Oo Lwin (formerly Maymyo), Man-
dalay Region, Central Myanmar in 2002, we dis-
covered an undescribed species of Begonia. It
was assignable to sect. Platycentrum A. DC. by
its rhizome, protandrous staminate owers basal,
pistillate owers distal, 2-locular ovaries, and
placentas with two branches. It was somewhat
similar to Begonia thomsonii A. DC. described
from India, but which is also in northern Myan-
mar, but differed in its sub-symmetric basal
leaves with a glabrous upper surface, carpellate
owers with 3 tepals, glabrous fruits and several
other features as shown in Table 1. We therefore
describe it as B. togashii Nob. Tanaka & C.-I
Peng.
Living plants of Begonia togashii, grown
from seeds as well as a piece of rhizome sent by
Ms. Etsuo Kobayashi, a member of the Japanese
Begonia Society, in 2013, are in the experimental
greenhouse of Academia Sinica in Taiwan. The
plant was originally collected from a waterfall in
northeast Maymyo (presently Pyin Oo Lwin),
Mandalay Region, by Makoto Togashi (1911–
1998), a prominent Japanese plant hunter, proba-
bly on a trip to Myanmar in 1978 (Kurokawa et
Begonia togashii (Begoniaceae: Sect. Platycentrum), a New Species
from Central Myanmar
Nobuyuki TaNaka1,*aNd ChiNg-i PeNg2
1Department of Botany, National Museum of Nature and Science, Amakubo 4-1-1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305- 0005, Japan.
* nobuyuki_tanaka@kahaku.go.jp (author for corresponcence); 2 Herbarium (HAST), Biodiversity Research Center,
Academia Sinica, Nangang, Taipei 115, Taiwan
Begonia togashii Nob. Tanaka & C.-I Peng (Begoniaceae), a new species from cent ral Myan mar is de-
scribed and illustrated. The presence of a rhi zome, basal protandrous stam inate owers and distal pistil-
late owers, 2-locular ovaries and placentas with two branches place it in sect. Platycentr um A. DC. It is
somewhat similar to Begonia thomsonii A. DC., which was described from India, but is also in norther n
Myanmar. Begonia togashii, however, is distinct in having sub-symmetric basal leaves with a glabrous
upper surface, 3-tepalled carpellate owers and glabrous capsules. Thus far B. togashii is k nown only
from Myanmar.
Key words: Begonia, Begoniaceae, new species, Myanmar, sect. Platycentr um
Acta Phytotax. Geobot. 67 (3): 191–197 (2016)ISSN 1346-7565
doi: 10.18942/apg.201608
192 Vol. 67Acta Phytotax. Geobot.
al. 1999). Details of the locality and the name of
the waterfall are unknown, but we suspect that it
was collected near or at the same site where N.
Tanaka collected it in 2002.
Togashi sent rhizomes of their collection to
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Tokyo. It was
propagated by the Japanese Begonia Society and
introduced through the Society’s publication
“ Begonia” (Fig. 1)(Shiino 1992). Togashi’s origi-
nal herbarium specimens collected by Togashi to-
gether with H. Idzumi were found in TNS and TI.
Dried specimens collected by N. T. and living
plants cultivated by C. I. P. were mainly used in
this study. Diagnostic characters are shown and
illustrated in Figs 2 and 3.
Begonia togashii Nob. Tanaka & C.-I Peng, sp.
nov. —Figs. 2– 4.
Typ e s: MYANMAR, Mandalay Region: Maymyo,
1000 m alt., 20 April 1978, H. Idzumi & M. Togashi s.n.
(TNS 01233411-holotype, TI-isot ype).
Description. Herbs, perennial, rhizomatous,
monoecious, 25–55 cm tall. Rhizomes to 10 cm
long, 1–1.3 cm thick, internodes ca. 0.7 cm long.
Leaves basal; stipules triangular, 1.8 mm long, 6
mm wide, apex caudate, abaxially keeled, gla-
brous; petiole green, sometimes tinged reddish,
7–29 cm long, covered with sparse, white to red-
dish hairs 5–8 mm long; leaf blade green on both
surfaces, ovate to elliptic, sub-symmetrical, 7–23
cm long, 5–18 cm wide, base truncate to sub-cor-
date, margin irregularly denticulate, ciliate, apex
acute to acuminate, abaxially with sparse reddish
hairs on veins, adaxially glabrous. Inorescenc-
es axillary, cymose, 2–5-owered, bisexual, pro-
tandrous, peduncle 12–14 cm long, sparsely pi-
lose or nearly glabrous; bracts deciduous, red-
dish, oblong-lanceolate, 1–1.3 cm long, 0.3–0.5
cm wide, glabrous, base truncate, margin ciliate,
apex acute. Staminate owers 3–4 cm in diam.;
pedicel 1.5–2 cm long; tepals 4 (–6), outer 2 white
or pink, margin tinged pink, ovate, 1.5–2 × 1.3–
1.8 cm, abaxially glabrous; inner 2 (rarely 4 in
cultivation) white, obovate, 1.1–1.6 × 0.7–1 cm;
androecium actinomorphic, stamens 40–46, yel-
low, 2–2.5 mm long; laments fused at base; an-
thers 1.5 mm long, ellipsoid, apex rounded. Pis-
tillate owers 3 × 2 cm; pedicel 1.5–2.5 cm long;
tepals 3, outer 2, white or pinkish, margin tinged
Table 1. Comparison of Begonia togashii Nob. Tanaka &
C.-I Peng with B. thomsonii A. DC.
Begonia togashii Begonia thomsonii
Stipule Adaxially glabrous Adaxially densely pilose
Leaf
　Shape Ovate t o elliptic, sub - sym-
metric
Ovate to s uborbicular,
asymmetric
　Base Shallowly cordat e Cordate
　Margin Ir regularly den ticulate,
ciliate
Subentire, ciliate
　Adaxial surface Glabrous Velutinous
Inorescence
　Location A rising dire ctly from
rhizome
Arisi ng from axils of sh ort,
erect stem
　Peduncl e Nearly glabrous Pilose
　Tepals Glabrous on bot h surfaces Pilose ab axially
　Carp ellate owers Tepals 3; ovary a nd wings
glabrou s; stigmatic ba nd
slightly spiraled
Tepals 5; ovary a nd wings
densely pi lose; stigmati c
band str ongly spiraled
Capsule Abaxial w ing narrowly
tria ngular, 1.5–2.6 cm lo ng
Abaxial w ing rounded , ca.
1 cm long
Fig. 1. Newsletter “Begon ia” (no. 150) published by Japanese
Begonia Society in 1992. Front page showing Begonia
togashii Nob. Tanaka & C.-I Peng originally collected
by Mr. Makoto Togashi.
October 2016 193
Tanaka & Pe ng
–
Begonia togashii, a new species from Myanmar
Fig. 2. Begonia togashii Nob. Tanaka & C.-I Peng. A, habit; B, stipule; C, bracts; D, front and side view of staminate ower; E,
stamen; F, front and side view of ca rpellate ower; G, st yle; H, fr uit; I, cross sect ion of immature capsule.
194 Vol. 67Acta Phytotax. Geobot.
Fig. 3. Begonia togashii Nob. Tanaka & C.-I Peng. A, habit in cultivat ion; B, stipule; C, bract; D, staminate owers showing
variat ion in tepal number; E, carpellate owers, front and side views; F, fruit; H, cross section of immature fr uit showi ng
two locules and axile placentation.
October 2016 195
Tanaka & Pe ng
–
Begonia togashii, a new species from Myanmar
Fig. 4. Holotype of Begonia togashii Nob. Tanaka & C.-I Peng. Collected from Maymyo, 1000 m alt., 20 Apr il 1978, H. Idzumi
& M. Togashi s.n. ( T N S 012 33 411).
196 Vol. 67Acta Phytotax. Geobot.
pink, ovate to suborbicular, 1.2–2 × 1–2 cm, inner
tepal, ovate to obovate, 1.2–1.7 × 0.5–1.1 cm; ova-
ry ellipsoid, glabrous; unequally 3-winged, 2-loc-
ular; placentation axile, bilamellate; styles 2, 5
mm long, yellow, stigmatic band slightly spiral-
ing. Infructescence 2–5-fruited; pedicel 3–3.5
cm long; capsule dehiscent, oblate, 3 × 1.8 cm,
slightly pendulous, brown when mature, gla-
brous, wings unequal, abaxial wing narrowly tri-
angular, 1.5–2.6 cm long; lateral wings incon-
spicuous, 1 mm long; locules 2; placentas bid;
seeds numerous. Flowering December to Janu-
ary (in the dry season). Fruiting February to
March.
Distribution. Known only from Mandalay
and Shan State, central and eastern Myanmar.
Habitat & Ecology. Terrestrial. Partially
shaded wet places on wall of waterfall in semi-
evergreen forest. Elevation 700-1000 m.
Etymology. The specic epithet “togashii”
honors Makoto Togashi, who explored Burma in
1978.
Additional specimens examined. MYANMAR,
Shan State: Gotiek, Hsipaw, 2,800 f t., October 1939, F. G.
Di c k a so n 9511 (GH). Mandalay Region: Maymyo, 1000
m alt., originally collected by H. Idzumi & M. Togashi on
20 April 1978. Specimen pressed from living plant culti-
vated in the experimental greenhouse, Academia Sinica,
Tai wan, Peng 24087 (HAST); Dat Taw Gyoik water fall,
Pyin Oo Lwin (formerly Maymyo), ca. 850 m alt., 96 23’
E, 21 58’ N, 16 January 2002, Tanaka et al. 021965 (MBK,
RAF, TI, TNS-spir it); ibid., 12 March 2003, Kuroiwa et
al. 028 901 (MBK, TI); Kyar-twin-ye village, Pyin Oo
Lwin, ca. 700 m alt., 96 °31'14" E, 21°33'04"N, 14 January
2002, Tanaka et al. 021843 (MBK, TI).
Key to Begonia section Platycentrum in Myanma r
1a. Leaves peltate .............................................................................................................................. B. wui-senioris
1b. Leaves basixed ................................................................................................................................................. 2
2a. Leaf blade at least t wice as long as wide ........................................................................................................... 3
2b. Leaf blade less than t wice as long as wide ........................................................................................................ 4
3a. Stipules ovate; inorescence a xillary ................................................................................................ B. goniotis
3b. Stipules oblong; inorescence nea rly terminal ........................................................................... B. sandalifolia
4a. Leaf blade deeply lobed ..................................................................................................................................... 5
4b. Leaf blade u nlobed or shallowly lobed .............................................................................................................. 6
5a. Stem brown villous, occose-pubescent or tomentose ..................................................................... B. palmata
5b. Stem glabrous ............................................................................................................................... B. sikkimensis
6a. Inorescences arising from rhizomes, plants acaulescent ................................................................................ 7
6b. Inorescences borne on erect stem .................................................................................................................. 10
7a. Carpellate tepals 3 ............................................................................................................................. B. togashii
7b. Carpellate tepals 5 or more ................................................................................................................................ 8
8a. Flowers pubescent ............................................................................................................................. B. annulata
8b. Flowers glabrous ................................................................................................................................................ 9
9a. Leaves al most symmetrical, margin ciliate ................................................................................... B. herve yana
9b. Leaves asymmetric, margin eciliate .......................................................................................................... B. rex
10a. Inorescence terminal .................................................................................................................. B. integrifolia
10b. Inorescence axillar y ...................................................................................................................................... 11
11a. Stem glabrous; abaxial wing of ovar y longer than tepals ............................................................ B. megaptera
11b. Stem pubescent; abaxial wing of ovary shorter than tepals ........................................................................... 12
12a. Petiole glabrous ........................................................................................................................................ B. dux
12b. Petiole densely hairy ....................................................................................................................................... 13
13a. Leaf blade biserrate ........................................................................................................................ B. cathcartii
13b. Leaf blade ciliate ............................................................................................................................ B. thomsonii
October 2016 197
Tanaka & Pe ng
–
Begonia togashii, a new species from Myanmar
We thank Forest Department, Minist ry of Forest ry (pres-
ently Ministr y of Natural Resources and Environmental
Conservation), Myanmar, for arranging the eld research
for N.T.; Ms. Hsun-An Yang (HAST) for caref ully check-
ing morphological characters of the living plants and im-
proving the description; Mr. Che-Wei Lin and Ms. M. Na-
kajima for preparing the ne illustrations; Mr. E. Ko-
bayashi and Ms. M. Nakamura for providing living mate-
rials for our studies. N.T. is thankf ul to the curators of the
Harvard University Herbar ia (A/GH) and the Makino Bo-
tanical Garden (MBK) for allowing access to their collec-
tions. This research was supported in par t by JSPS KAK-
ENHI Grant Number 17255004 to Prof. Jin Murata, as
well as by grants from the Biodiversit y Research Center,
Academia Sinica, Taiwan, to Ching-I Peng.
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... Recently several new Begonia species were added to the Myanmar flora, and so far 76 species have been recorded from Myanmar (Hughes, 2008;Tanaka & Hughes, 2007;Tanaka & Hayami, 2011;Peng et al. 2014;Tanaka & Peng, 2016;Hughes et al., 2019, Maw et al., 2020. ...
... It is somewhat similar to Begonia thomsonii A.DC. described from India, but which also occurs in northern Myanmar, but differs in its sub-symmetric basal leaves with a glabrous upper surface, carpellate flowers with 3 tepals, and glabrous fruits, so it was described as a new species, Begonia togashii Nob. Tanaka & C.-I Peng (Tanaka & Peng, 2016). Although it was described in 2016 for the first time, the plant had been known to the Japanese Begonia Society for nearly 40 years. ...
... Surprisingly the plant was sent to him from Japan, not from Myanmar. Living plants of the Begonia, grown from seed and from a piece of rhizome sent by Mr. Etsuo Kobayashi, a member of the Japanese Begonia Society, had been cultivated since 2013 in the experimental greenhouse of Academia Sinica in Taiwan (Tanaka & Peng, 2016). ...
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Full-text available
  • May 2019
In this study, we describe several new taxa belonging to the flora of Myanmar. One new family, Polyosmaceae (Polyosma wallichii Benn.) is recorded. Over ten new genera are recorded for the first time, including Amentotaxus Pilger (Taxaceae), Hydrobryopsis Engler (Podostemaceae), Cyrtosia Blume and Biermannia King & Pantling (Orchidaceae), Eleutharrhena Forman and Haematocarpus Miers (Menispermaceae), Craigia W.W. Smith & W.E. Evans (Malvaceae), Amblyanthopsis Mez (Primulaceae), Huodendron Rehder and Rehderodendron Hu (Styracaceae), Platea Blume (Metteniusaceae), Achyrospermum Blume (Lamiaceae), Christisonia Gardner (Orobanchaceae). In addition, five new species are described and illustrated: Tupistra natmataungensis Y.H. Tan & H.B. Ding, Biermannia burmanica Y.H. Tan & Bin Yang, Impatiens megacalyx Y.H. Tan & H.B. Ding, Amblyanthopsis burmanica Y.H. Tan & H.B. Ding, Platea kachinensis Y.H. Tan & H.B. Ding. The distribution, ecology, phenology, and conservation status of these new species are also described.
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... Studies on plant diversity of Myanmar initiated by the flora publications of Hooker (1872Hooker ( , 1879Hooker ( , 1882Hooker ( , 1885Hooker ( , 1890Hooker ( , 1894Hooker ( , 1897 and Kurz (1877aKurz ( , 1877b proceeded very slowly until the presentation of the most recent Myanmar Plant Checklist (Kress et al., 2003). Since then, many new species or newly recorded species in Myanmar have been continuously reported by various researchers around the world (Tanaka and Nagamasu, 2006;Tanaka et al., 2002Tanaka et al., , 2006aTanaka et al., , 2006bTanaka et al., , 2009Tanaka et al., , 2010aTanaka et al., , 2010bTanaka et al., , 2010cTanaka et al., , 2015Tanaka and Hughes, 2007;Ito et al., 2009;Murata et al., 2010;Yukawa et al., 2010;Tanaka and Hayami, 2011;Gowda et al., 2012;Ormerod, 2011;Tanaka, 2012aTanaka, , 2012bPaul, 2013;Wilkin et al., 2013;Peng et al., 2014;Tong and Xia, 2014;Tan et al., 2015;Cho et al., 2016aCho et al., , 2016bPaton et al., 2016;Tanaka and Peng, 2016;Aung et al., 2017;Jin and Kyaw, 2017;Kang et al., 2017a;Liu et al., 2017;Phutthai and Hughes, 2017;Pimenov, 2017;Tanaka and Aung, 2017;Tan et al., 2017;Tseng et al., 2017;Xue et al., 2017;Yang et al., 2017aYang et al., , 2017bYang et al., , 2017c, reflecting the great interest of botanists in the richness of Myanmar's flora. New species or newly recorded species are continuously being accumulated this year as well Chen et al., 2018;Ding et al., 2018;Koyama, 2018;Liu et al., 2018;Ruchisansakun et al., 2018;Wahlsteen, 2018;B. ...
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Taxonomy of the Genus Begonia L. in Myanmar
Thesis
  • Oct 2020
Myanmar is one of the countries which possesses the richest biodiversity in the Southeast Asian region. Up to now, it is reported that Myanmar has 90 Begonia species (83 species and 7 varieties) belonging to 8 sections, of which 22 species are endemic to Myanmar. The regional floristic map of Begonia species is produced according to the herbarium specimens, literature, and online databases such as Begonia Resource Centre, National Specimen Information Infrastructure (NSII) and Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and the geographical information of Myanmar is briefly introduced in this thesis. Firstly, all available information of Begonia species are collected based on literature review, herbarium specimens (RAF), online database such as Begonia Resource Center, NSII, GBIF and online herbarium specimens such as British Museum, Herbier Muśeum Parish, Kew Herbarium Catalogue, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Herbarium Catalogue, and the New York Botanical Garden Steere Herbarium to annotate the distribution of Begonia species. The species diversity and composition are calculated by using species diversity indices and the existence of Begonia species in Myanmar is analyzed with QGIS software. All Begonia species, literature and online databases are taxonomically reviewed and confirmed by the taxonomic experts and it revealed that Myanmar has currently 90 species of Begonia around the country. Secondly, the database of Begonia species for Myanmar is produced as a summarized table about the morphology and ecology of the species. The relationship of elevation and flowering in related to species distribution is analyzed under the Microsoft Excel 2019 and the analysis points out that most species are flowering in September to October in a year and most species are distributing at the elevation of 1001–1200 m in Myanmar. Moreover, we have made the description of the morphological characters of the species focusing on growth habits, placentation and fruit types and the comparison with some neighboring countries of Myanmar, and the artificial key for Begonia species under 8 sections in Myanmar are produced for the further study of the taxonomic situation. We have also proposed the conservation status of 22 endemic Begonia species in Myanmar based on IUCN 2019, literature reviews, and the online database. Finally, we have updated the position of Begonia species in Myanmar under 8 sections based on morphological, geographical and molecular data. For the taxonomic revision, we have observed the samples from the greenhouse of Kunming Institute of Botany and placenta examinations carried out under a Leica vertical microscope (S8APO+DFC420, Singapore) by cutting three parts of fruits and taking the photos of the stamens and anthers. As the final products of observation, we used Helicon focus software (version 7) by combining the draft photos to make the perfect photos for the observation of fruits, stamens, and anthers. We have also revised the taxonomic descriptions for each species with the distribution maps and available specimens. However, the research questions about the similarity of the species and the species position under the sections are still left as unclear conditions. The species characters and distribution patterns might be diverse in different habitat and phenology under the same sections. Some molecular studies also describe the taxonomic changes of Begonia species that there is only one species left under the section Diploclinium but the recent study for the updated checklist of Begonia species in Myanmar said that 16 species are in the section of Diploclinium. For further exploration fieldwork, most species are still left as unidentified and more botanical investigations should be implemented in Myanmar to investigate new species. For the conservation of Begonia species in Myanmar, the country mostly relies on the products of the natural resources and most people from rural areas are depending on natural resources. Therefore, it is required to conserve the rest of forests and Begonia species. This study also aims to contribute and support the flora of Myanmar project and biodiversity conservation in Myanmar and further analysis of the divergence of Begonia species in Myanmar. Keywords: Begonia, Myanmar, Phenology, Species diversities, Taxonomy
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In memoriam Ching-I Peng (1950–2018)—an outstanding scientist and mentor with a remarkable legacy
Article
Full-text available
  • Dec 2020
Ching-I Peng, the most prolific and internationally recognized Taiwanese plant taxonomist of his generation, passed away on May 1, 2018. Dr. Peng was an eminent worker on the taxonomy of East Asian plants and the genus Ludwigia, and the foremost expert on Asian Begonia. He served as associate editor, co-editor in chief, and editor-in-chief of Botanical Studies and its predecessor Botanical Bulletin of Academia Sinica during the period 1992–2016. He gathered over 25,000 plant specimens, name 121 plant taxa, and has left a remarkable legacy of literature, collaborations and collections. This article summarizes Dr. Peng’s academic career and commemorates his enduring contribution.
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AN UPDATED CHECKLIST and A NEW SPECIES of BEGONIA (B. RHEOPHYTICA) from MYANMAR
Article
Full-text available
  • Apr 2019
A new species, Begonia rheophytica (§ Platycentrum ), is described from northern Myanmar; it was initially confused with B. rhoephila , which is confined to Peninsular Malaysia. Comparison with other species with a rheophytic leaf shape is made. This new addition brings the number of currently recognised Begonia species in Myanmar to 73. An updated checklist of Myanmar Begonia species is also included.
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Eleven new species of Begonia L. (Begoniaceae) from Laos and Vietnam
Article
Full-text available
  • Apr 2012
Strictly endemic species Begonia alta, B. babeana, B. crassula, B. gesneriifolia, B. minuscula, B. nahangensis, B. rigidifolia, B. rubrosetosa, B. rugosula, B. sonlaensis, and B. viscosa (Begoniaceae) are described and illustrated. Relations and morphological differences of described species from their allies are shortly discussed.
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Begonia kachinensis (Begoniaceae, sect. Sphenanthera), a New Species from Myanmar
Article
Full-text available
  • Jan 2011
Begonia kachinensis Nb. Tanaka (Begoniaceae, section Sphenanthera), from the Hukaung Valley Tiger Reserve, Kachin State, northern Myanmar, is illustrated and described as a new to science. Begonia ka-chinensis is easily distinguished from other species of Begonia section Sphenanthera by a combination of the following characters; dioecious habit, bicolored leaves, flowers with two tepals, and 4-locular bac-cate fruits.
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Begonia (sect. Sphenanthera) hayamiana (Begoniaceae), a new species from Northern Myanmar
Article
Full-text available
  • Jan 2007
Begonia hayamiana Nob. Tanaka, which belongs to section Sphenanthera with fleshy fruits, is described and illustrated as a new species from northern Myanmar. This species is characterized by a combination of nearly symmetric leaves which are truncate at the base and 4-locular fruit. It is known only from the type locality in the Hukaung Valley Tiger Reserve.
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Four new species of Begonia (Begoniaceae) from Vietnam: B. abbreviata , B. calciphila , B. sphenantheroides and B. tamdaoensis
Article
Full-text available
  • Aug 2015
Four new species of Begonia, namely B. abbreviata C.-I Peng, B. calciphila C.-I Peng, B. sphenantheroides C.-I Peng and B. tamdaoensis C.-I Peng are documented from northern Vietnam. Detailed descriptions, line drawings, color plates, chromo-some data, foliar SEM observations and comparisons with phenetically similar species are provided to aid in identification.
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Six new species of Begonia (Begoniaceae) from limestone areas in Northern Vietnam
Article
Full-text available
  • Dec 2015
Species of Begonia are richly represented in limestone karst areas across the Sino-Vietnamese border. More than one hundred species were known, many of which were documented recently. In continuation of our systematic studies of Asian Begonia, we report six species of Begonia that are unknown to science, namely B. caobangensis [sect. Platycentrum], B. circularis, B. melanobullata, B. langsonensis, B.locii and B. montaniformis [sect. Coelocentrum] from Northern Vietnam. Diagnostic features that separate them from morphologically allied species are provided. Somatic chromosome numbers were determined, which supports their placement in the respective sections. Foliar SEM microphotographs were taken and described. A careful study of the literature, herbarium specimens and living plants, both in the wild and in cultivation in the experimental greenhouse, supports the recognition of the six new species, which are described and illustrated.
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Two new species of Begonia sect. Coelocentrum, B. guixiensis and B. longa, from Sino-Vietnamese limestone karsts
Article
Full-text available
  • Jun 2014
In our recent molecular phylogenetic study of Asian Begonia, two undescribed species, B. guixiensis sp. ined. (S. Guangxi, China) and B. longa sp. ined. (Vietnam), were sampled and placed within the strongly supported clade composed of Begonia sect. Coelocentrum and other co-distributed rhizomatous species in the Sino-Vietnamese limestone karsts. While Begonia sect. Coelocentrum has been recircumscribed based on the phylogenetic relationships, B. guixiensis sp. ined. and B. longa sp. ined. remain illegitimate names. In continuation of our studies in Asian Begonia, these two new species are described and illustrated. Begonia guixiensis resembles B. cylindrica in the peltate, subcoriaceous leaves, differing by the shape of ovary/fruit and the type of placentation. In aspect, B. longa bears a superficial resemblance to B. brevipedunculata in leaf shape in particular, differing by many other features such as the long internodes, shorter petioles and smaller leaves, longer peduncles and 3-locular ovary. The chromosome number of both new species is determined as 2n = 30. A careful study of the literature, herbarium specimens and living plants, both in the wild and in cultivation in the experimental greenhouse, support the recognition of the two new species, which are described and illustrated herein.
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Begonia wui-senioris (sect. Platycentrum, Begoniaceae), a new species from Myanmar
Article
Full-text available
  • Feb 2014
The flora of Myanmar is under-collected compared with all other tropical Asian countries. An unknown Begonia was grown from seeds collected from a limestone hill in Central Myanmar, and compared with potentially allied species. The unknown Begonia is rhizomatous, has peltate leaves, 2-locular ovaries, and is evergreen. It is clearly assignable to sect. Platycentrum. Only two other species of Begonia, B. josephii and B. subperfoliata, in Myanmar have peltate leaves, but they are deciduous tuberous plants with 3-locular ovaries and belong to sect. Diploclinium. Thorough studies of literature and herbarium materials support the recognition of a new species, Begonia wui-senioris, which is fully described and illustrated. Begonia wui-senioris has the lowest chromosome number (2n = 14) for the genus.
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A new species of a peltate-leaved Begonia (Begoniaceae) from Vietnam
Article
  • Jan 2004
Begonia phuthoensis H. Q. Nguyen (sect. Coelocentrum), a new species from Phu Tho and Thanh Hoa Provinces (Vietnam), is described and illustrated for Begoniaceae. Begonia cavaleriei H. Leveille (sect. Diploclinium), a species previously known only from China, is reported for the first time from Vietnam.
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Taxonomic status of Begonia aliciae (Begoniaceae)
Article
  • Jan 2012
Critical field and literature survey, along with herbarium consultation has revealed that Begonia aliciae C.E.C. Fisch. is conspecific to B. crenata Dryand.
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