Begonia hongiaoensis
Species Information
Classification
Begonia hongiaoensis is a species of flowering plant in the family Begoniaceae. It is a member of section Coelocentrum, which is characterized by its small flowers and actinomorphic androecia.
Distribution
Begonia hongiaoensis is endemic to Vietnam. It is known from only a few collections in Bidoup-Nui Ba National Park.
Habitat
Begonia hongiaoensis is found in shaded slopes under constantly humid, frequently foggy primary broadleaved forest at elevations of around 1,500 m.
Characteristics
Begonia hongiaoensis is a rhizomatous plant with large, ovate to suborbicular leaves that are up to 30 cm long and 25 cm wide. The leaves are sparsely setose on the upper surface and lack maculation. The flowers are small and actinomorphic, with a thyrsoid inflorescence.
Flower Details
The flowers of Begonia hongiaoensis are bisexual and actinomorphic. The tepals are 3-5 mm long and yellowish or reddish. The stamens are numerous and shortly golf-club shaped. The ovary is trigonous-ellipsoid and 3-winged.
Etymology
The specific epithet "hongiaoensis" refers to the Hongiao River, which flows through Bidoup-Nui Ba National Park.
Comparison to Similar Species
Begonia hongiaoensis is most similar to Begonia lamdongiana, which is also a new species from Bidoup-Nui Ba National Park. However, Begonia hongiaoensis can be distinguished by its larger leaves, sparsely setose upper leaf surface, and lack of maculation.
References
Lin, C.-W., Hsu, T.-C., & Luu, H. T. (2021). Two new species of Begonia (Begoniaceae) from Bidoup-Nui Ba National Park, Vietnam. Phytotaxa, 509(2), 152-160.
Photos
External Links
[Begonia hongiaoensis] at the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
