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| Begonia ebo H.Lockwood, in Lockwood et Tchatchouang, 2025. |
Abstract
Begonia ebo H.Lockwood sp. nov., a terrestrial herb endemic to Cameroon cloud forest, is described, mapped and illustrated. It is the first species of Begonia Section Filicibegonia known to have yellow flowers (vs pink or white), to have inflorescences that are epiphyllous, appearing to emerge from the upper leaf surface (vs ordinarily axillary) and, also, the first species of the section known to be endemic to Cameroon. It is also endemic to the Cross-Sanaga River Interval. In contrast, six of the nine species of Sect. Filicibegonia are endemic to the interval between the Sanaga River of Cameroon and the Congo River. So far Begonia ebo is only known from inside or adjacent to the Ebo forest, Littoral Region, Cameroon, apart from a single record from the Chaine de Nkohom in Central Region c. 60 km distant. In view of the massive ongoing threats of industrial logging to the Ebo Forest, the stronghold and main centre of this species on current evidence, the conservation status of Begonia ebo is provisionally assessed as Endangered, EN B1 ab(iii) +B2ab(iii).
Keywords: Cross-Sanaga River interval, epiphyllous, yellow-flowered
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| Begonia ebo. Habit showing male and female flower. Lockwood 61 (K, YA). Photo by H. Lockwood. |
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| Begonia ebo. A habit, flowering stem; B. detail of abaxial blade surface showing midrib and hairs; C. female flower and inflorescence; D. style and stigmas; E fruit, side view showing unequal dorsal wing; F. fruit, transverse section showing locules; G. seeds, side view. All from Lockwood 61 (K). Drawn by H. Lockwood. |
Begonia ebo H.Lockwood sp. nov.
Diagnosis: Begonia ebo differs from all known species of Begonia Sect. Filicibegonia due to its yellow (not white or pink) perianth lobes, and also in the peculiar posture of the inflorescence, which lie along the groove of the adaxial petiole leaf-blade midrib, the flowers appearing superficially to arise from the middle of the leaf-blade (vs inflorescence sessile, or held above or below the leaf blades).
Etymology: Named as a noun in apposition for the forest of Ebo, Littoral Region, whence most of the known specimens were found.
Helen Lockwood and Eric Ngansop Tchatchouang. 2025. Begonia ebo sp. nov. (Sect. Filicibegonia-Begoniaceae), endangered in Ebo, a highly threatened forest in Littoral Region, Cameroon. Webbia. Journal of Plant Taxonomy and Geography. 80(1); 77-87. DOI: doi.org/10.36253/jopt-17739 [2025-04-17]
