Begonia tandangii (Begoniaceae, section Baryandra), a new species from Luzon Island, the Philippines

Abstract

We describe Begonia tandangii, a new species of Begonia sect. Baryandra from the Sierra Madre Mountain Range of Luzon Island, the Philippines. Begonia tandangii has a close resemblance to B. fenicis in gross morphology, differing in having leaf margin sparsely fringed with minute hairs (vs. glabrous or with minute hairs only on teeth) and capsules with broadly-ovate outline and an acuminate apex (vs. capsules with broadly-obovate outline and a rounded to truncate apex). Phylogenetic analyses of Philippines species of sect. Baryandra based on ITS sequences revealed that B. tandangii was clearly separated from B. fenicis. Begonia tandangii is currently known only from the type locality in a coastal forest of Baler, Aurora Province, which is in the neighborhood of Aurora Memorial National Park.

Begonia wuzhishanensis (sect. Diploclinium, Begoniaceae), a new species from Hainan Island, China

“…Shui) to the island, were documented (Gu et al [2007]). In continuation of our studies of Asian Begonia (e.g., Chung et al, [2014]; Hughes et al [2011]; Nakamura et al [2013]; Peng et al [2012][2013][2014]; Rubite et al: Begonia chingipengii [sect. Baryandra , Begoniaceae], a new species from Luzon Island, Philippines, submitted), we report the discovery of an additional undescribed species, B. wuzhishanensis , endemic to the island.…”

Begonia chingipengii (sect. Baryandra, Begoniaceae), a new species from Luzon Island, Philippines

“…This new species is the most recent addition to the newly delimited section Baryandra Nakamura et al 2013), bringing the total in this section to 51. Begonia chingipengii resembles B. trichochila, but is distinguished by the variegated leaves with light green veins and mdirib contrasting with the dark green adaxial surface and maroon abaxial surface, while B. trichochila is all green.…”

In situglacial survival at the northern limit of tropical insular Asia by a lowland herbBegonia fenicis(Begoniaceae)

“…We also collected two Philippine species of section Baryandra ( sensu Rubite, ), B. chloroneura P.Wilkie & Sands and B. hernandioides Merr., as outgroups; these species were suggested to be the most closely related species of B. fenicis in previous molecular phylogenetic studies (Thomas et al ., ; Nakamura et al ., ).…”

“…Begonia fenicis is among the most northerly species of the genus. It is a diploid (Oginuma & Peng, ; Nakamura et al ., ), perennial evergreen herb growing in semi‐shaded and humid environments in lowlands; for example, forest margins and stream banks in forest understories. Begonia fenicis has rhizomes and some drought tolerance, which enables the species to grow also on coastal, but still shaded, cliffs with seeping water.…”