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| Begonia wumingensis J.Y.Zhou, S.K.Guan & D.K.Tian, in Guan, Tian, Zhou, Huang, Yan, Tao, Song et Lu, 2025. |
Abstract
Begonia wumingensis is a new species of Begonia section Coelocentrum discovered in the broad-leaved forest of the karst mountainous area in central Guangxi of China. It has extremely long creeping rhizomes, and is similar to B. longiornithophylla in morphology, but the main differences lie in its rhizome internodes and petioles usually subglabrous when mature, stipules glabrous and without dorsal ridge, leaves flat and subglabrous, flowers lacking glandular hairs, longer abaxial wings of the fruits, and early flowering time. Based on its small population, narrow distribution range, and continuing decrease in population size due to human’s disturbances, it is assessed as Critically Endangered according to Guidelines for Using IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.
Keyword: Begonia auritistipula, B. longiornithophylla, Begonia sect. Coelocentrum, karst landform, long rhizome, new taxon
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| Begonia wumingensis J.Y.Zhou, S.K.Guan & D.K.Tian. A,B. Habitat and habit, photographed in Wuming, China; C. Wild plant; D. Rhizome showing stipules only at shoot; E. Adaxial (left) and abaxial (right) leaf surfaces; F. Leaf sections showing adaxial (upper) and abaxial (lower) indumentums; G. Petioles showing different colors; H, J. Inflorescences; I. Peduncles subglabrous and reddishbrown base; K. Front (left), side (middle) and back (right) views of staminate flower; L. Side view of androecium; M. Front (left), side (right two) views of pistillate flower; N. Side view of stigmas; O. Stipule; P. Bracts; Q, R. Side (Q) and back (R) views of young fruits; S. Mature fruit with persistent tepals; T. Cross-section of ovary. (Photos by Jinye Zhou) |
Begonia wumingensis J.Y.Zhou, S.K.Guan & D.K.Tian, sp. nov.
武鸣秋海棠
Diagnosis: Begonia wumingensis is similar to B. longiornithophylla. The main differences are that its mature stem internodes are subglabrous or sparsely (vs. densely) villous, stipules caducous (vs. persistent) without (vs. with) a dorsal ridge, mature petioles subglabrous (vs. villous to tomentose), adaxial leaf surface nearly glabrous (very sparsely short bristled) and flat (vs. rough surface with scabrid and glandular punctate), abaxial leaf surface subglabrous or sparsely grayish-white short-hispid only along main veins (vs. densely red-scabrous along veins), peduncles are subglabrous or sparsely villous (vs. glandular villous), pedicels sparsely short-hispid (vs. glandular villous), outer tepals of staminate and pistillate flowers subglabrous or sparsely short-hispid near pedicel or ovary (vs. obviously red villous), capsules with longer (8–13 mm vs. ca. 5 mm long) abxial wings, and earlier flowering (Nov.–Feb. vs. Feb.–May) (Liu et al., 2020) (Table 1).
Shikai Guan, Daike Tian, Jinye Zhou, Zhanwen Huang, Haixia Yan, Dayan Tao, Qian Song and Jiashi Lu. 2025. Begonia wumingensis, A New Species of Begonia (sect. Coelocentrum) with long rhizomes from Central Guangxi of China. Taiwania. 70(4); 626 - 630. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2025.70.626 [03 September 2025]
