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

Abstract

BackgroundHainan is the largest island of the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot and has the best preserved and most extensive tropical forests in China. A recent study on distribution of endangered species in China identifies southern Hainan as one of eight hotspots for plant conservation in the country. In continuation of our studies of Asian Begonia, we report the discovery of an attractive undescribed species, B. wuzhishanensis C.-I Peng, X.H. Jin & S.M. Ku, from Hainan Island.ResultsLiving plant of the new species, Begonia wuzhishanensis, was collected in 2009 and cultivated in the experimental greenhouse for morphological and cytological studies. It flowered consecutively in 2012 and 2013 in the experimental greenhouse, Academia Sinica. It was assigned to the large, heterogeneous sect. Diploclinium. The chromosome number of this new species was determined to be 2n = 26.ConclusionsA careful study of literature, herbarium specimens and living plants, both in the wild and in cultivation, support the recognition of the new species Begonia wuzhishanensis, which is described in this paper. Begonia wuzhishanensis is currently known only from Fanyang, Wuzhishan Mountain in the center of the island. A line drawing, color plate, and a distribution map are provided to aid in identification.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1999-3110-55-24) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Novelties in Begonia sect. Coelocentrum: B. longgangensis and B. ferox from limestone areas in Guangxi, China

“…Numerous new taxa have been described from there in recent years, especially from the limestone areas, e.g. Aspidistra : Hou et al, 2009, Lin et al, 2010, Liu et al, 2011, 2013; Begonia : Fang et al, 2006, Ku et al, 2006, 2008, Liu et al, 2005, 2007, Peng et al, 2005a, b, 2006, 2007, 2008a, b, 2010, 2012; Primulina : Xu et al, 2012, 2013; Oreocharis : Liu et al, 2012; Polystichum : He and Zhang 2011, Zhang and He, 2009a, b, Zhang et al, 2010. In continuation of our studies of Chinese Begonia , we report the discovery of two additional new species, B. longgangensis and B. ferox , from limestone karsts in southwestern Guangxi.…”

Begonia intermedia, an illegitimate name and taxonomic synonym of B. wuzhishanensis

“…Wild populations of Begonia wuzhishanensis were found in Fanyang of Wuzhishang (Peng et al 2014), Yinggeling National Reserve of Qiongzhong (Tian et al 2014), and Diaoluoshan National Reserve of Lingshui (Qin 2013 Ku (2014: 3) are considered to be the same species after a careful review. Therefore, the former is a synonym of the latter.…”

“…Furthermore, the article by Tian et al was published on 24 Apr 2014 in Phytotaxa while B. wuzhishanensis C.I. Peng et al (2014: 3) was published on 5 Feb 2014 in Botanical Studies for the same species based on type material collected from different locations on Hainan Island of China. In total, extant wild populations of this species have been found in at least the three places belonging to one city (Wuzhishan) and two counties (Qiongzhong and Lingshui), respectively (Fig 1).…”

A revision and one new species of Begonia L. (Begoniaceae, Cucurbitales) in Northeast India

“…Begonia palmata forms a natural hybrid with B. longifolia where the two are growing together, known as Begonia × chungii (Peng & Ku 2009;Morris 2011a). This hybrid has baccate fruit with wings, and is intermediate in form between the two parents.…”