[Botany • 2016] Begonia khaophanomensis | ส้มกุ้งเขาพนม • A New Species and A New Record in Begonia sect. Platycentrum (Begoniaceae) from Thailand

ส้มกุ้งเขาพนม |  Begonia khaophanomensis 

Phutthai & M.Hughes SBG.org.sg

ABSTRACT

 Begonia khaophanomensis Phutthai & M.Hughes is described from a collection made on granitic rock in Krabi Province in Peninsular Thailand. It is endemic to the type locality of Khao Phanom Bencha National Park, and is assessed as Least Concern using the IUCN criteria. Begonia macrotoma Irmsch. is noted as a new record for Thailand from collections in Chiangmai, Nakhon Ratchasima and Nakhon Nayok provinces; the species is also found in China, Myanmar, NE India, Nepal and Vietnam. Both species belong to Begonia sect. Platycentrum. A key to the species of Begonia sect. Platycentrum in Thailand is provided.

Keywords. Begonia khaophanomensis, Begonia macrotoma, China, Myanmar, NE India, Nepal, Peninsular Thailand, Vietnam

Begonia khaophanomensis Phutthai & M.Hughes, sp. nov. § Platycentrum

Begonia khaophanomensis is similar to B. palmata in habit and leaf shape, but differs in having leaves occurring in opposite pairs at the apex of the plant (not alternate), with white short stiff hairs on the petioles and leaves (not brown sericeous), and a white ovary with white short stiff hairs (not pinkish green and subglabrous). 

– TYPE: Thailand, Krabi, Khao Phanom District, Khao Phanom Bencha National Park, on rock along trail in lower montane forest, 19 June 2006, Williams, K., Pooma, R., Poopath, M., Chamchamroon, V. & Seasin, S. 1943 (holotype E; isotypes BKF). (Fig. 1, 2)

Distribution. Endemic to Peninsular Thailand (known from only the type locality). 

Habitat and ecology. On granitic rock crevices by streams in hill evergreen forest and seasonally dry evergreen forest at c. 1200 m. Flowering and fruiting June to October.

Notes. The opposite leaves and stiff hairs indicate an alliance to Begonia areolata Miq. from Sumatra and Java which differs in having leaves which are minutely bullate and with red hairs, and in having petals which are elongate-elliptic in the male flowers (not broadly elliptic). The specific epithet refers to the district in which the type material was collected, Khao Phanom.

T. Phutthai and M. Hughes. 2016. A New Species and A New Record in Begonia sect. Platycentrum (Begoniaceae) from Thailand. Gardens’ Bulletin Singapore. 68(1): 99–107.  https://www.sbg.org.sg/images/4_4_Research_Gardens_Bulletin/4_4_68_1_pdf_Vol_68_Part_1_2016/4_4_68_1_99_y2016_V68P1_GBS_pg99.pdf

ส้มกุ้งเขาพนม Begonia khaophanomensis Phutthai & M.Hughes จากการศึกษาตัวอย่างในหอพรรณไม้ทั้งในและต่างประเทศ พบแห่งเดียวในโลกที่ เขาพนมเบญจา จังหวัดกระบี่

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