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| Begonia medinae Bucay, Tandang & K.F.Chung, in Bucay, Tandang, Chen, Tsai, Rubite et Chung, 2025. |
Abstract
Two new species of Begonia section Baryandra from the province of Davao Oriental, part of the Eastern Mindanao Biodiversity Corridor (EMBC), Philippines are described and illustrated. We compared these species with two other species found in EMBC. Begonia dorisiae resembles B. amparoae but is distinct by tomentose hairs with a bulbous base on the petioles and abaxial side of the lamina. Begonia medinae resembles B. elmeri, both of which are the only peltate Mindanao species to date but is distinct mainly on the dense pilose hairs on its lamina, petioles and peduncles. Analyses of the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS1, ITS2 and 5.8S gene) sequences of these Eastern Mindanao species, combined with other 45 Philippine sect. Baryandra species and 10 other Asian species support the distinction of the two new species from their congeners. The phylogenetic placement of these plants alongside other Philippine species can further shed light on the intricate biogeographic patterns of Philippine wildlife, especially on areas less studied such as EMBC.
Archipelago, Begoniaceae, island endemicity, orogeny, species radiation, taxonomy, Eudicots
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| Begonia dorisiae Bucay, Tandang & K.F.Chung. A. Limestone wall habitat; B. Habit; C-D. Stipules; E. Petiole; F. Petiole close up showing hairs with bulbous base; G. Leaf base; H. Lamina; I. Bracts; J. Inflorescence; K. Staminate flower; L. Anthers; M. Pistillate flower; N. Pistillate flower showing ovary. |
Begonia dorisiae Bucay, Tandang & K.F.Chung, sp. nov.
§ Baryandra
Diagnosis:—Begonia dorisiae resembles B. amparoae, another species in Eastern Mindanao island by its overall foliage size and color and similar male flowers, but differs in having dense, dark brown tomentose hairs on the petioles (vs. sparse red hairs to glabrous in B. amparoae), entire, glabrous leaf margins (vs. denticulate, ciliate margins), tomentose hairs on the abaxial side of lamina (vs. glabrous), rectangular bracts with an inequilaterally acuminate to acute apex (vs. widely ovate, obtuse apex) and crescent shaped capsule wing with rounded apex (vs. rectangular with truncated apex). Other differences are summarized in Table 3.
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Etymology:—The specific epithet dorisiae is a tribute to broadcaster Doris Bigornia whose name became an informal, yet very useful monicker of the genus Begonia especially for local communities. Many Filipino botanists, particularly in this series of expeditions, find that the easiest way to make citizens remember the genus Begonia is to associate it with ‘Bigornia’. Across different islands and demographics, the best way to capture citizens’ interest when communicating the biology of Philippine Begonia is, in fact, Doris Bigornia.
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| Begonia medinae Bucay, Tandang & K.F.Chung. A. Habit; B. Rhizome; C. Stipules; D. Petioles; E. Adaxial leaf surface; F. Abaxial leaf surface; G. Bracts; H. Leaf margin; I. Staminate flower; J. Pistillate flower; K. Ovary; L. Capsule. |
Begonia medinae Bucay, Tandang & K.F.Chung, sp. nov.
§ Baryandra
Diagnosis:—Begonia medinae resembles B. elmeri, another species originally described in Agusan del Norte, also part of the Eastern Mindanao Biodiversity Corridor. Both species are the only peltate species described from the island to date. However, B. medinae is significantly different from B. elmeri in terms of vestition. A distinctive character of B. medinae is the dense white pilose hairs on the lamina (vs. glabrous to sometimes sparsely ciliate in B. elmeri). Begonia medinae also has the same hairs in the petioles (vs. fulvus hairs), and peduncle (vs. glabrous). Other differences are summarized in Table 4.
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Etymology:—The specific epithet “medinae” is to acknowledge the Filipino entomologist Dr. Milton Medina who originally observed this Begonia during their biodiversity studies in the area. This also commemorates their efforts in their conservation studies of the Philippine biodiversity, particularly the ecosystems in Davao Oriental province and the whole of Mindanao Island.
Mark Angelo C. BUCAY, Danilo N. TANDANG, Hong-Wun CHEN, Li-Wei TSAI, Rosario R. RUBITE and Kuo-Fang CHUNG. 2025. Morphological and Molecular analyses revealed Two New Species of Begonia sect. Baryandra in the Eastern Mindanao Biodiversity Corridor, Philippines. Phytotaxa. 698(4); 245-256. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.698.4.4 [2025-05-02]
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