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| Begonia ufoides C.-I Peng, Y.H. Qin & C.W. Lin |
Abstract
A peltate-leaved species of Begonia was recently collected from a limestone hill in central Guangxi, China. Based on a careful study of literature, herbarium material, and plants both in the wild and in cultivation reveals that it is a new species of Begonia sect. Coelocentrum, which we hereby describe as Begonia ufoides. In addition to a full taxonomic account, color plates and line drawings are provided to aid in identification. Begonia ufoides may be confused with B. umbraculifolia Y. Wan & B.N. Chang in southwestern Guangxi and B. phuthoensis H.Q. Nguyen in northern Vietnam, both of which are peltate-leaved calciphilous species in sect. Coelocentrum, but the new species is clearly distinguishable in many morphological characters. A table comparing salient features of the three species is presented.
Keywords: Begonia, B. ufoides, China, Guangxi, Limestone, New species, Eudicots
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| FIGURE 2. Begonia ufoides C.-I Peng, Y.H. Qin & C.W. Lin. A, B. Habitat and habit; C, D, E. Portion of leaf, adaxial and abaxial surfaces; F. Inflorescence; G. Staminate flower, face and side views; H. Pistillate flower, face and side views. All from Peng 24361 (HAST). |
Begonia ufoides C.-I Peng, Y.H. Qin & C.W. Lin, sp. nov.
Etymology:–– The specific epithet refers to the suborbicular peltate leaves.
Yong-Hua Qin, Yong-Yan Liang, Wei-Bin Xu, Che-Wei Lin and Ching-I Peng. 2017. Begonia ufoides (sect. Coelocentrum, Begoniaceae), A New Species from Limestone Areas in central Guangxi, China. Phytotaxa. 316(3); 279–284. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.316.3.7
