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| Begonia naemma Y.P.Ang, Aumentado & Magtoto, in Ang, Aumentado & Magtoto, 2022. |
ABSTRACT
Within the Pantabangan–Carranglan Watershed Forest Reserve in Nueva Ecija, a small population of an inconspicuous Begonia was encountered. After thorough investigation, it is described here as a new Philippine Begonia species in sect. Petermannia. The new species, Begonia naemma Y.P.Ang, Aumentado & Magtoto, is distinguished from the allied species B. polyclada C.I Peng, C.W.Lin & Rubite by its larger leaves, leaf adaxially sparsely hirsute between the veins, more numerous stamens, and larger ovary wings that are ovate to oblong. Based on IUCN criteria, Begonia naemma is designated as Endangered (EN). A comprehensive description and illustration of Begonia naemma are provided.
Keywords: Begonia polyclada, Caraballo Mountain Range, Cucurbitales, Malesia, Taxonomy
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| Begonia naemma Y.P.Ang, Aumentado & Magtoto, sp. nov. A, Habitat and habit; C and C′, leaf (adaxial and abaxial surface, respectively); D, immature staminate flower and bracts; E, pistillate flower (face view); F, pistillate flower (side view, showing ovary); G, ovary (cross-section). All photographs of the type collection (PTI-PCWFR1-0021), taken by M. N. Tamayo (A), R. A. A. Bustamante (B–F) and L. M. Magtoto (G) |
Begonia naemma Y.P.Ang, Aumentado & Magtoto, sp nov.
§ Petermannia.
Allied to Begonia polyclada C.I Peng, C.W.Lin & Rubite by having a branched and erect stem with an antrorsely tomentose vestiture and bearing numerous small leaves that are held horizontally. Additionally, both species produce inflorescences in the upper axils or terminally, with 2-tepaled staminate flowers and 5-tepaled pistillate flowers. However, the new species is distinct from Begonia polyclada by having larger leaves (20–45 × 6–19 mm vs 7–16 × 3.5–8 mm); leaf adaxially sparsely hirsute between the veins (vs glabrous); more numerous stamens (c.25 vs c.15); pistillate flower tepals elliptic to obovate (vs narrowly elliptic to ovate); and ovary wings ovate-oblong, rounded proximally and truncated distally (vs rounded triangular in shape) and comparatively larger (c.18 × 5–7 mm vs c.10 × 3.5–5.5 mm).
Etymology. The specific epithet, naemma, is the word in Ilocano that means ‘shy and humble’. This reflects the difficulty in noticing the species in situ due to its resemblance to other herbaceous plants such as Elatostema pilosum Merr. (Merrill 1919: 376), with which it was growing sympatrically. The species was discovered only by chance because it was flowering.
Y.P. Ang, J.A. Aumentado and L.M. Magtoto. 2022. Begonia naemma (sect. Petermannia, Begoniaceae), A New Species from Nueva Ecija, Luzon Island, the Philippines. EDINBURGH JOURNAL OF BOTANY. 79 [Begonia special issue],1-10. journals.RBGE.org.uk/EJB/article/view/390
𝑩𝒆𝒈𝒐𝒏𝒊𝒂 𝒏𝒂𝒆𝒎𝒎𝒂 Y.P.Ang Aumentado & Magtoto, a new species of Begonia from Pantabangan–Carranglan Watershed Forest Reserve, Nueva Ecija, Philippines.⠀
