Begonia kui
Species Information
Classification
Begonia kui is a species of flowering plant in the family Begoniaceae. It is a member of section Coelocentrum, which is characterized by its axillary dichasial cymose inflorescence with 4-tepaled staminate and pistillate flowers, bearing 3-locular ovaries, and each ovary locule with one placenta.
Distribution
Begonia kui is endemic to Vietnam, where it is found in the Langbian Highlands.
Habitat
Begonia kui is found in shady forests at elevations of 1,500-1,800 m.
Characteristics
Begonia kui is a rhizomatous plant with small, ovate leaves that are up to 25 cm long and 15 cm wide. The leaves are deeply lobed at the margins and have a dark green color. The flowers are white or pale pink and are borne in clusters on long stalks.
Flower Details
The flowers of Begonia kui are unisexual and monoecious, meaning that male and female flowers are borne on the same plant. The male flowers have four stamens. The female flowers have three sepals and four sepals that are fused together to form an ovary. The ovary is three-winged and has a long, slender style.
Etymology
The species is named after the Vietnamese botanist, Dr. Nguyen Van Kui, who discovered the species.
Comparison to Similar Species
Begonia kui is similar to Begonia variegata in the following ways:
Both species have rhizomes and alternate, asymmetrical leaves. Both species have small, white or pale pink flowers. However, Begonia kui can be distinguished from Begonia variegata by the following characteristics:
Begonia kui has a shorter rhizome and smaller leaves than Begonia variegata. The leaves of Begonia kui are more deeply lobed than the leaves of Begonia variegata. The flowers of Begonia kui are white or pale pink, while the flowers of Begonia variegata are greenish or greenish-yellowish. The male flowers of Begonia kui have four stamens, while the male flowers of Begonia variegata have four or six stamens.
Care
Begonia kui is a limestone species so it can handle lower humidity (around 50%) and should be in a rocky well draining soil as it can succumb to over watering very easily.
References
Research Gate Nguyen, T. H., & Vu, T. B. (2023). Begonia kui (Begoniaceae), a new species from Vietnam. Phytotaxa, 591(2), 201-207.
Photos
External Links
[Begonia kui] at the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
