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| Begonia aristata Blasco, Alejandro & Rubite, in Blasco, Alejandro & Rubite, 2025. |
Abstract
Begonia aristata is described as a new species endemic to the Philippines. It grows on rocky slopes in semi-shaded coconut farm habitat along the coast of Matho, Cortes, Surigao del Sur. Begonia aristata resembles Begonia benitotanii Rubite, Tandang & C.W.Lin in having erect and branching stems, ovate-lanceolate leaves with a serrate margin, 2-tepaled staminate flowers and 5-tepaled pistillate flowers with 3 equal wings but differs in being shorter (ca. 45 cm tall vs. 2–4 m tall), having triangular stipules (vs. oblong), obtuse leaf base (vs. obliquely cordate), adaxially dark green and scabrid (vs. emerald green with white patches), and oblong ovary (vs. elliptic). Based on IUCN criteria we proposed data deficient (DD) since there is only one population currently known.
Eudicots, Begonia benitotanii, Begonia longistipula, Mindanao, Surigao provinces, taxonomy
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| Begonia aristata Blasco, Alejandro & Rubite. A & B. Habit and habitat. All from Freddie A. Blasco 22-007. |
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| Begonia aristata Blasco, Alejandro & Rubite. A. Stem, B. Young stipules, C. Mature stipule. D. Inflorescence. E. Bracts, F. Staminate Flower, G. Pistillate flower, H. Cross section of the ovary, I. Capsule. All from Freddie A. Blasco 22-007. |
Begonia aristata Blasco, Alejandro & Rubite sp. nov.
sect. Petermannia
Type: PHILIPPINES: Mindanao, Surigao del Sur, Matho, Cortes, Surigao del Sur elevation ca. 0–10 m. asl. on coconut farm near a coast, May 10, 2022, Freddie A. Blasco 22-007 (holo PNH).
Diagnosis:— Begonia aristata resembles Begonia benitotanii Rubite, Tandang & C.W.Lin in having erect and branching stems, ovate-lanceolate leaves with a serrated margin, 2-tepaled staminate flowers, and 5-tepaled pistillate flowers with 3 equal wings on the ovary but differs in being 45 cm tall (vs. 200–400 cm), having smaller triangular stipules, 11–14 × 5–7 mm (vs. oblong, 25–30 × 4–10 mm) with aristate apex (vs. mucronate), smaller leaf blade 13–15 × 5–6 cm (vs. 8–21 × 6–12), adaxially brownish scabrid (vs. emerald green with white patches), base obtuse (vs. obliquely cordate), female flowers in pairs are of equal height with the branching staminate flowers (vs. female flowers basal to staminate flowers) and oblong capsule 15–16 × 19–20 mm (vs. elliptic 30–38 × 20–36 mm).
Etymology:—The epithet refers to the prominent aristate apex of the bracts and stipules.
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| Begonia aristata Blasco, Alejandro & Rubite. A., B., C., & D. Different stages of the inflorescence. All from Freddie A. Blasco 22-007. |
Freddie A. BLASCO, Grecebio Jonathan D. ALEJANDRO, Rosario R. RUBITE. 2025. Begonia aristata (Section Petermannia, Begoniaceae), A New Species from Surigao del Sur, Philippines. Phytotaxa. 697(3); 282-287. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.697.3.7 [2025-04-17]
