Begonia quinquealata
Begonia quinquealata
| Species | quinquealata |
|---|---|
| Region | South East Asia |
| Country | Philippines |
| Year published | N/A |
| Date of Origin | N/A |
| Plant Type | rhizomatous |
| Section | N/A |
| Chr 2n | N/A |
Species Information
Distribution and Ecology
Begonia quinquealata is endemic to Palawan, Philippines. It is found on low vertical cliff faces or rock-strewn areas at the base of cliffs within the broadleaved forest margin.
Characteristics
- **Growth Habit:** This species is a monoecious rhizomatous herb with long creeping rhizomes, reaching up to 40 cm or longer. The rhizomes are densely hirsute with pale magenta hairs. - **Leaves:** The leaves are alternate and have a widely ovate shape with an asymmetric, oblique arrangement. They are 6.5−10.2 cm long and 4.7±7.8 cm wide. The leaf margins are denticulate and lined with white to magenta, scabrous hairs. The leaves are thick, chartaceous, and succulent. Adaxially, they are olive green, densely hirsute, and abaxially pale green with hirsute veins. - **Inflorescence:** The inflorescence is an axillary, bisexual, cymosely branching panicle that is approximately 11 cm long. The peduncle is 8.5±10 cm long and reddish, densely hirsute. The species is protandrous. - **Flowers:** Staminate flowers have white to pinkish tepals. The outer two tepals are widely ovate or obovate, while the inner two are obovate or oblanceolate. Pistillate flowers (immature) have reddish ovary and outer tepals. - **Capsule:** The capsule is pendent, with wings that are red scabrous. It is trigonous-ellipsoid, measuring 12±14 mm long (excluding wings) and approximately 5 mm thick.
Conservation Status
Begonia quinquealata is critically endangered due to its existence as a single population at its type and only locality. There are approximately 100 individuals within an area of several square meters. The population is under threat as the overhanging vegetation along the roadside is being cleared. It meets the criteria for critically endangered status (CRB2abiii&v) due to its limited area of occupancy, a single location, continuing habitat decline, and the number of mature individuals.
Etymology
The specific epithet "quinquealata" refers to the 5-winged capsule of this species.
Notes
Begonia quinquealata is a distinct member of Begonia sect. Baryandra from Palawan. It is characterized by its densely hairy nature, long creeping rhizomes, and 5-winged capsules. This species can be differentiated from Begonia suborbiculata by various leaf and surface characteristics.
