Begonia pengchingii
Begonia pengchingii
Species Information
Classification and Distribution
Begonia pengchingii is a perennial monoecious herb endemic to Northern Thailand, specifically found in Chiang Rai Province, Mae Sai District, Huay Krai Subdistrict.
Habitat
This begonia species thrives on limestone rock crevices in seasonally dry evergreen forests at an altitude of 1350 meters.
Characteristics
Begonia pengchingii has tuberous globose or subglobose roots and succulent, glossy stems. It produces one or two succulent, subsymmetrical leaves with variegated patterns. The leaves are cordate, 6–13 cm long, with palmate-pinnate venation.
Flower Details
Staminate flowers of B. pengchingii have two white tepals with sparse dark red multicellular glandular hairs on the outside. The androecium is zygomorphic, with 10–15 yellow stamens. Pistillate flowers are not described. The fruit is unique with one oblique triangular wing and two small ridges.
Etymology
The specific epithet "pengchingii" honors Dr. Ching-I Peng, the collector of the species.
Notes
Begonia pengchingii is an unusual species in Begonia section Diploclinium due to its distinctive fruit, zygomorphic androecium, and staminate flowers with two tepals. It is vulnerable to human activities and habitat degradation.
References
Reference to the publication containing this information is not provided.
Care
Detailed care instructions for growing and maintaining Begonia pengchingii are not provided in the provided text.
Photos
External Links
No external links to additional resources related to Begonia pengchingii are provided.
