Begonia darthvaderiana: Difference between revisions

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2014
2014
==== Origin ====
==== Origin ====
Endemic to Borneo (Sarawak, Malaysia).[2][10] Specifically recorded from the Batang Ai area in the Lubok Antu District.[4][6]
Endemic to Borneo (Sarawak, Malaysia) Specifically recorded from the Batang Ai area in the Lubok Antu District.
==== Growth Type ====
==== Growth Type ====
Perennial, erect, terrestrial herb.[2][3][5] It can exhibit a cane-like or shrubby habit, typically growing 25–70 cm tall.
Perennial, erect, terrestrial herb. It can exhibit a cane-like or shrubby habit, typically growing 25–70 cm tall.
==== Section ====
==== Section ====
[[Section Petermannia]][2][5][12]
[[Section Petermannia]]
==== Chromosome = 2n = ====
==== Chromosome = 2n = ====
==== Description ====
==== Description ====
''Begonia darthvaderiana'' is distinguished by its striking dark foliage.[2][3][5][8][10][12]
''Begonia darthvaderiana'' is distinguished by its striking dark foliage
Stems: Erect, brownish to red-brown, slightly woody at the base, 25–70 cm tall, 5–10 mm thick.[2]
Leaves: Alternate, simple, asymmetric with a cordate base. The blade is oblong-ovate, measuring 13–15 cm long (up to 22 cm in some descriptions) and 5–7 cm wide (up to 13 cm). The adaxial (upper) surface is dark olive-green or deep red to solid black, featuring a distinct, narrow silvery band (approx.[2] 0.2–0.4 mm) along the subentire margin.[2] The surface is slightly raised between the veins but not strongly bullate. The abaxial (lower) surface is dark maroon.[2]
Flowers: The inflorescence is protogynous and bisexual.
** Staminate (Male) Inflorescence: A terminal cymose panicle, up to 20 cm long.[3] Male flowers have 2 pink-red, elliptic tepals and 9–16 yellow stamens.
** Pistillate (Female) Flowers: Have 5 pink-red tepals.
Fruit: A reddish-green capsule.
==== Distribution ====
==== Distribution ====
Restricted to West Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia.
Restricted to West Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia.
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It grows in deep shade within lowland mixed dipterocarp forests at elevations of 130–200 meters.[2][6] It is typically found on steep soil slopes or at the base of cliffs near rivers and valleys.
It grows in deep shade within lowland mixed dipterocarp forests at elevations of 130–200 meters.[2][6] It is typically found on steep soil slopes or at the base of cliffs near rivers and valleys.
==== Flower ====
==== Flower ====
Pink to red.[2][3]
Pink to red
==== Etymology ====
==== Etymology ====
The specific epithet ''darthvaderiana'' refers to the fictional character Darth Vader from the ''Star Wars'' franchise.[2][3][4][5][10] The authors chose this name due to the plant's unique, deep dark appearance.[3][5]
The specific epithet ''darthvaderiana'' refers to the fictional character Darth Vader from the ''Star Wars'' franchise. The authors chose this name due to the plant's unique, deep dark appearance.
==== Synonyms ====
==== Synonyms ====
No known synonyms; this is the accepted name.
No known synonyms.
==== Comparison to Similar Species ====
==== Comparison to Similar Species ====
''Begonia darthvaderiana'' is morphologically similar to ''[[Begonia daunhitam]]'' (found in West Kalimantan, Indonesia), as both possess dark olive-black leaves and pink flowers. However, they differ in the following characters:
''Begonia darthvaderiana'' is morphologically similar to ''[[Begonia daunhitam]]'' (found in West Kalimantan, Indonesia), as both possess dark olive-black leaves and pink flowers.  
{| class="wikitable"
! Character !! ''Begonia darthvaderiana'' !! ''Begonia daunhitam''
|-
| Plant Height || 25–70 cm || 15–25 cm
|-
| Leaf Surface || Slightly raised between veins (smooth to rugulose) || Strongly bullate (bubble-like)
|-
| Leaf Margin || Subentire (nearly smooth) with a silvery ring || Denticulate (toothed) without a silvery ring
|-
| Male Inflorescence || Terminal cymose panicle || Dichasial cyme (terminal or axillary)
|-
| Stamen Count || 9–16 || 20–30
|}
It is also noted to share some similarities with ''[[Begonia chlorosticta]]'' but differs in lacking the greenish spots and having a solid dark leaf color.[2]
=== Photos ===
=== Photos ===
''(Refer to Figure 3 in the referenced PDF for habit and flower photos by C.W. Lin & C.-I Peng, or search external databases for images by the authors.)''
 
=== Hybrids ===
=== Hybrids ===
=== Conservation status ===
=== Conservation status ===

Revision as of 10:14, 11 January 2026

Begonia darthvaderiana

[No Image Available]
Species darthvaderiana
Publication Date Phytotaxa 191 (1): 132-135
Origin Borneo (Sarawak, Malaysia)
Region Lubok Antu District
Growth Type Terrestrial Herb / Shrub-like
Section Petermannia
Chromosome Count


Species Information

Publication Date

2014

Origin

Endemic to Borneo (Sarawak, Malaysia) Specifically recorded from the Batang Ai area in the Lubok Antu District.

Growth Type

Perennial, erect, terrestrial herb. It can exhibit a cane-like or shrubby habit, typically growing 25–70 cm tall.

Section

Section Petermannia

Chromosome = 2n =

Description

Begonia darthvaderiana is distinguished by its striking dark foliage

Distribution

Restricted to West Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia.

Habitat

It grows in deep shade within lowland mixed dipterocarp forests at elevations of 130–200 meters.[2][6] It is typically found on steep soil slopes or at the base of cliffs near rivers and valleys.

Flower

Pink to red

Etymology

The specific epithet darthvaderiana refers to the fictional character Darth Vader from the Star Wars franchise. The authors chose this name due to the plant's unique, deep dark appearance.

Synonyms

No known synonyms.

Comparison to Similar Species

Begonia darthvaderiana is morphologically similar to Begonia daunhitam (found in West Kalimantan, Indonesia), as both possess dark olive-black leaves and pink flowers.

Photos

Hybrids

Conservation status

Data Deficient (DD) or Vulnerable. While not formally assessed on the global IUCN Red List as of 2024, the species has a very restricted range in Sarawak and is highly sought after in the horticultural trade. The related species B. daunhitam is listed as Vulnerable (VUD2), and similar threats likely apply to B. darthvaderiana due to potential over-collection and habitat limitations.

External Links

Original Description in Phytotaxa

References

Lin, C.W., Chung, S.W.[5] & Peng, C.-I (2014).[4][5][6][7][8][11] Three new species of Begonia (sect.[5] Petermannia, Begoniaceae) from Sarawak, Borneo.[2][5] Phytotaxa 191(1): 129–140. Wang, W.G., Randi, A., Wang, C.X.L., Shen, J.Y., Ma, X.D., Shi, J.P., Xu, T. & Zhang, S.Z. (2020). Begonia daunhitam, a new species of Begonia (Begoniaceae) from West Kalimantan, Indonesia.[1] Taiwania 65(1): 27–32.

Categories

[2]

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