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| Begonia francisabuidii C.J.P.Dela Cruz, S.R.Concepcion, Y.P.Ang, in Dela Cruz, Concepcion & Ang, 2022. |
Abstract
Begonia francisabuidii from Albay, Bicol region, Luzon Island is here described as a new species endemic to the Philippines. Belonging to section Baryanda, it resembles B. madulidii but is distinguished by shorter and puberulent rhizomes, densely hirsute stipules, reddish and pubescent petiole, smaller leaves, puberulous panicle, smaller bracts and 4-tepaled pistillate flower. According to the IUCN red list categories and criterion, B. francisabuidii is proposed to be placed in the Critically Endangered (CR) category.
Keyword: Begonia madulidii, biodiversity, conservation, critically endangered, Southeast Asia, taxonomy
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| Begonia francisabuidii C.J.P.Dela Cruz, S.R.Concepcion, Y.P.Ang. A. Pistillate flower with immature florescence; B. Pistillate flower and ovary. |
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| Begonia francisabuidii C.J.P.Dela Cruz, S.R.Concepcion, Y.P.Ang. A. Habit and habitat; B. Rhizome, showing stipules and petioles base; C. Lamina adaxial surface; D. Petiole showing vestiture; E. Pistillate flower, face and side views showing ovary; F. Staminate flower, face and side views; G. Immature inflorescence with bracts; H. Stipules; I. Ovary cross-section; J. Capsule. All from C.J.P. Dela Cruz 0001. |
Begonia francisabuidii C.J.P.Dela Cruz, S.R.Concepcion & Y.P.Ang, sp nov.
§ Baryandra
Diagnosis: Begonia francisabuidii is similar to B. madulidii in overall habit: oblique to widely ovate lamina with an acuminate apex, pale green and glabrous adaxially, stipules ovate-triangular and strongly keeled, bracts widely ovate. However, the new species differs in having subpubescent rhizomes (vs. glabrous), petiole reddish and pubescent (vs. pale green with very sparsely erect velutinous hairs), smaller lamina (13–15.1 × 8–10 cm vs. 11.5–21.5 × 9.5–18 cm), panicle puberulous (vs. glabrous), smaller bracts (3–4 mm long vs. 10–12 mm long) and pistillate flower 4-tepaled (vs. 5-tepaled). A more detailed comparison is provided in Table 1.
Etymology: This Begonia is named after the late young Bicolano conservation biologist, Mr. Francis Gregor P. Abuid (1996–2021), in acknowledgement of his efforts in inspiring young Bicolanos to protect, conserve, and study the biodiversity of the Bicol region.
Distribution and Ecology: Begonia francisabuidii is known only from a small area in Barangay Oma-Oma, Ligao City, Albay. The main population occurs on semiexposed limestone rock near a waterfall, seen growing along with Selaginella sp.
Cyrus Job P. Dela Cruz, Steven R. Concepcion and Yu Pin Ang. 2022. Begonia francisabuidii, (section Baryandra, Begoniaceae) A New Species Endemic to Albay, Luzon Island, Philippines. Taiwania. 67(2); 223-228. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2022.67.223
