Begonia darthvaderiana
Begonia darthvaderiana
Species Information
Classification and Distribution
Begonia darthvaderiana is a monoecious perennial begonia species endemic to Batang Ai, Sarawak, Borneo, near the border of Indonesia. It is primarily found in valleys within very wet dipterocarp forests. The plant grows on lower to upper soil slopes or in deeply shaded soil at the cliff base, at elevations ranging from 130 to 200 meters.
Characteristics
- Stem: Erect, brownish to red-brown, 25–70 cm tall, 5–10 mm thick, glabrous, with internodes 1.5–6 cm long. - Stipules: Greenish or purple-red, hyaline, ovate-triangular, 8–13 mm long, 5–8 mm wide, keeled, margin entire, short cusp 0.3–0.5 mm. - Petioles: Terete, 2–5 cm long, 3–5 mm thick, brownish-red, glabrous. - Leaves: 4–9, alternate, simple, oblong-ovate, basifixed, strongly asymmetric with a well-developed basal lobe, 13–22 cm long (basal lobes included), 8–13 cm wide. Upper surface adaxially dark olive or deep red to nearly black with a narrow silvery rim (0.2–0.4 mm wide) at the margin, lower surface abaxially dark maroon. Succulent, glabrous, and velvety adaxially. Venation palmate-pinnate with a distinguishable midrib and ca. 3 major lateral veins on each side, other primary veins branching dichotomously.
Flower Details
- Staminate Flower: Pedicel 5–7 mm long, glabrous, with 2 pink-red elliptic tepals (6–8 mm long, 4–5 mm wide), and 9–14 stamens. - Pistillate Flower: Pedicel 7–9 mm long, glabrous, with 5 elliptic tepals (7–9 mm long, 4 mm wide) and 3 golden yellow bifid styles (6 mm long). Stigmas are in a spiral band and papillose all around.
Fruit Details
Fruit is recurved horizontally, pedicel 1.5–1.8 mm long, capsule ca. 1.8 cm long, 2 cm thick (including wings). Glabrous with 3 subequal wings, nearly parallel but rounded or truncate distally.
Etymology
The epithet "darthvaderiana" refers to the striking dark appearance of this new Begonia species, resembling that of the fictional character Darth Vader from the "Star Wars" movies.
Comparison to Similar Species
Begonia darthvaderiana shares some similarities with B. chlorosticta but can be distinguished by its unbranched stem and the lamina slightly folding inward along the midrib, giving it a boat-shaped appearance. Notably, the leaves of B. darthvaderiana exhibit striking contrasts, with upper surfaces being dark reddish-brown to olive-black and lower surfaces being dark red, accompanied by a narrow ring of silvery white at the margin. This combination makes it a remarkably attractive species.
References
Care
Care instructions or tips for growing and maintaining Begonia darthvaderiana are not specified.
Photos
No additional photos are provided.
External Links
No external links are provided.
