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| Begonia chucantiensis Guillén, Moonlight & Jara, in Guillén, Moonlight, Jara-Muñoz, Stapf et Carrión, 2025. |
Abstract
Begonia chucantiensis sp. nov. is described as a new species of Begonia section Lepsia from Cerro Chucantí, Darién Province, in eastern Panama. A study of the literature and herbarium specimens, as well as fieldwork, suggests that the new taxon is distinguished from other species in the section by the combination of the following characters: uniform nodes, stipules persistent, 3.3–6 × 0.8–1.7 cm leaf blades, only two flowers per inflorescence, 12–14 stamens, and fruits with wings of similar shape and size. Images, information on geographic distribution, habitat, and a preliminary assessment of the conservation status of the new species are also provided.
Key words: Biogeographic isolation, Cerro Chucantí, Darién, Lepsia, Serranía de Majé
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| Holotype of Begonia chucantiensis sp. nov. (PMA132927). |
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| Morphological aspects of Begonia chucantiensis sp. nov. A plant habit B fertile branches C detail of fertile branch D leaves viewed from the adaxial side and staminate flower E leaves viewed from the abaxial side, staminate flower and fruit F stipules G front view of staminate flower H pistillate flower I lateral view of the fruit. Images A, B, D, E C. Mitre-Ramos. C, F, I L. Guillén. G, H J.L. Guerra. |
Begonia chucantiensis Guillén, Moonlight & Jara, sp. nov.
Diagnosis. Within Begonia section Lepsia, B. chucantiensis resembles B. confinis in having persistent stipules and two flowers per inflorescence; however, it differs by having glabrous young branches and uniform nodes (vs. ferruginous indumentum and swollen nodes), stipules 8.5–10.5 × 3.5–4.5 mm (vs. 0.8–1.3 × 0.3–0.4 mm), elliptic to lanceolate leaf blades (vs. rhomboid subtrilobed), 3.3–6 × 0.8–1.7 cm leaf blades (vs. 0.6–1.3 × 0.3–0.6 cm), peduncles up to 1.3 cm (vs. 2.8 cm), 12–14 stamens (vs. 8–10), and fruits with similar wing shape and size (vs. one wing conspicuously unequal).
Lucila Guillén, Peter W. Moonlight, Orlando A. Jara-Muñoz, María Sánchez de Stapf and Juan F. Carrión. 2025. A New Species of Begonia (Begoniaceae) from the eastern mountains of Panama. PhytoKeys. 256: 61-71. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.256.145404
Resumen: Se describe a Begonia chucantiensis sp. nov. como una nueva especie de Begonia sección Lepsia del Cerro Chucantí, provincia de Darién, en el este de Panamá. Un estudio de la literatura y especímenes de herbario, así como trabajo de campo, sugiere que el nuevo taxón se distingue de las otras especies de la sección por la combinación de los siguientes caracteres: nudos uniformes, estípulas persistentes, láminas foliares de 3.3–6 × 0.8–1.7 cm, solo dos flores por inflorescencia,12–14 estambres y frutos con alas similares en forma y tamaño. También, se proporcionan imágenes, información sobre la distribución geográfica, el hábitat y una evaluación preliminar del estado de conservación de la nueva especie.
