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| Begonia ornithopedata D.K.Tian & R.K.Li, in Wang, Qin, Li, Peng et Tian, 2024. 鸟足叶秋海棠 || taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/1986 |
Abstract
China is highly rich in diversity of Begonia, and in which Guangxi Zhuangzu Autonomous Region, following Yunnan province, has the second highest number of Begonia species. As a distribution center of Begonia sect. Coelocentrum, Guangxi already had 58 species recognized in this section. In this paper, Begonia ornithopedata, a new taxon of B. sect. Coelocentrum from southwestern Guangxi is described. With the bird-foot-shape lobed leaves, the new species is easily distinguished from any of other taxa, excepting few similarities only in leaf morphology of B. laminariae Irmsch. and B. circumlobata Hance. Its conservation status is assigned as the Endangered according to The Guidelines for Using the IUCN Red List Categories.
Keyword: Begonia circumlobata, Begonia fangii, Begonia laminariae, Begonia leipingensis, karst region, Platycentrum
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| . Detailed morphology of Begonia ornithopedata. A. Front and dorsal views of staminate flower; B. Dorsal view of staminate flower; C. Lateral view of staminate flower; D. Lateral view of androecium; E. Front and dorsal views of pistillate flower; F. Lateral view of pistillate flower with 2 bracteoles on pedicel); G. Adaxial view of ovary; H. Dissected ovary showing parietal placenta. (Photos by Daike Tian) |
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| Habit and morphology of Begonia ornithopedata. A. Habit; B. Potted plant in blooming with young yellowish-green leaves; C. Flowering plant with different colored leaves in several growth stages; D.,G. Adaxial leaf surface showing very sparse and short rigid hairs (G) ; E.,H. Abaxial leaf surface showing waxy glabrous texture and raised veins; F. Petioles with white fusiform spots; I Stipule showing midrib and hairs; J Inflorescence showing bracts and flowers; K. Inflorescence showing male flowers and bractlets; L Bracts; M. Bract (left one) and bracteoles (right three) showing size variation and toothed margin on upper-position and apex. (Photos A by Renkun Li and B–M by Daike Tian) |
Begonia ornithopedata D.K.Tian & R.K.Li, sp. nov.
鸟足叶秋海棠
Diagnosis: Begonia ornithopedata is very easily recognized by its unique leaf morphology with three to five deeply incised lobes like a bird foot, and no other species with such deep lobed leaves have been ever found in B. sect. Coelocentrum.
Etymology: The specific epithet refers to the lobed leaf blade which is similar to a bird's foot
Songwei Wang, Jiaqi Qin, Renkun Li, Qingzhong Peng and Daike Tian. 2024. Begonia ornithopedata (sect. Coelocentrum), A New Species with the Bird-foot Shaped Leaves from Guangxi of China. Taiwania. 69(2); 129-132. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2024.69.129
