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| Begonia pseudodendron Moonlight & Á.J.Pérez, in Moonlight & Pérez, 2022. |
ABSTRACT
A new species of Begonia sect. Ruizopavonia A.DC., B. pseudodendron Moonlight & Á.J.Pérez, is described from the western slopes of the Andes in the Colombian Department of Nariño and the Ecuadorian Province of Carchi. The new species is diagnosed against Begonia cymbalifera L.B.Sm. & B.G.Schub. and compared with other similar species. We also provide photographs, a distribution map, and an IUCN conservation assessment for the new species, which is classified as Endangered (EN) due to habitat destruction.
Keywords: Andean Slopes, Begonia, Ecuador, Colombia, New Species, Montane Forest, Taxonomy, Chocó biogeographic region
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| Begonia pseudodendron Moonlight & Á.J.Pérez, sp. nov. A, Habit, showing the leaves and a mature, pistillate inflorescence; B, inflorescence, showing pistillate flowers; C, staminate flower, front view; D, fruit, side view. Estimated scale bars: A, 10 cm; B, 5 mm; C and D, 1 cm. Photographs taken by Á. J. Pérez as part of the collection Á.J.Pérez 9728. |
Begonia pseudodendron Moonlight & Á.J.Pérez, sp. nov.
§ Ruizopavonia
Begonia pseudodendron is most similar to B. cuatrecasasiana L.B.Sm. & B.G.Schub. but differs in its white to pink, glabrous tepals (versus orange tepals that are sparsely pilose on the outside), the rounded apices of its staminate tepals (versus long acuminate apices), and its pistillate flowers with two tepals (versus three) and that lack bracteoles.
Etymology. The epithet is from the Greek pseudo (‘false’) and dendron (‘tree’) and refers to the species’ habit and the height it can reach: about 10 m tall, achieved by scrambling through surrounding vegetation.
P.W. Moonlight and Á.J. Pérez. 2022. A New Species of Begonia Sect. Ruizopavonia from Colombia and Ecuador. EDINBURGH JOURNAL OF BOTANY. 79 [Begonia special issue], 401; 1–9. DOI: 10.24823/EJB.2022.401 journals.RBGE.org.uk/EJB/article/view/401
