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| Begonia matillanoae Y.P.Ang & Langbao, in Ang, Marcos-Langbao, Camangeg, Jose, Diego et Tamayo, 2026. |
Abstract
A new species, Begonia matillanoae, is here described and illustrated from Malampaya Sound Protected Landscape and Seascape, Palawan Island, Philippines. It closely resembles Begonia cabanillasii but is distinct in having an ovate leaf with irregularly lobed margin, an acute leaf apex, and a 5-tepalled pistillate flower with the larger wing flat to shallowly cucullate. Begonia matillanoae is the latest addition to the Palawan begonias bearing a conspicuously 5-winged ovary. Based on IUCN guidelines, we here propose a Critically Endangered (CR) conservation designation for this species. A revised key to Palawan Begonia sect. Baryandra bearing five or six conspicuous ovary wings is also provided.
Keywords: Granite, Protected area, Sunda, Taxonomy, Threatened species
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| Begonia matillanoae Y.P.Ang & Langbao, sp. nov. A, Habitat and habit; B, rhizome, showing details of stipules and base of petioles; C, petiole and leaf base attachment; D, bracts and unopened flowers; E and F, leaf adaxial and abaxial surface, respectively; G, inflorescence; H and I, staminate flower (face and side views, respectively); J and K, pistillate flower (face and side views, respectively); L, immature ovary; M, ovary (cross sections). All photographs from ACAP57, taken by Y. P. Ang. |
Begonia matillanoae Y.P.Ang & Langbao, sp. nov.
Begonia matillanoae resembles B. cabanillasii in having white-pilose indumentum on its petioles, leaves and peduncles, a 4-tepalled staminate flower, and a conspicuously 5-winged ovary. However, it differs in having an ovate leaf shape (vs suborbicular) with shallow acutely lobed margin (vs crenate), an acute leaf apex (vs acute, obtuse or rounded), and a 5-tepalled (vs 4-tepalled) pistillate flower with largest wing flat to shallowly cucullate (vs distinctly cucullate).
Y. P. Ang, A. B. Marcos-Langbao, L. M. Camangeg, E. D. Jose, J. M. L. Diego and M. N. Tamayo. 2026. Begonia matillanoae (BEGONIACEAE), A New Species from Malampaya Sound Protected Landscape and Seascape, Palawan Island, Philippines. Edinburgh Journal of Botany. 83; DOI: doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2026.2102 [2026-02-03]
