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| Begonia neelamorum D.Borah & M.Khanal, |
Abstract
Begonia neelamorum D.Borah & M.Khanal, sect. Monophyllon, is described as a new species from Arunachal Pradesh, India. It closely resembles B. prolifera A.DC. in having a globose tuber, a single, sessile, basifixed leaf with a uniformly light-green lamina, an inflorescence which arises from the base of the sessile leaf blade, and white staminate and pistillate flowers, but differs in its glandular-hispid indumentum, terete stem, ovate lamina with double-serrate margins, a dichasial cyme and shorter styles. The species description is accompanied by illustrations and photographs, and information is provided on its distribution, phenology, ecology, preliminary conservation assessment and similarity to other species.
Keyword: Arunachal Pradesh, Begonia kayinensis, Begonia oyuniae, Begonia prolifera, Himalaya, Monophyllon, new species
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| Begonia neelamorum. A. Habit; B. Flowering branch; C. Inflorescence; D-E. Male flowers, front and back views; F. Female flower, side view, G. Female flower, front view; H. Styles; I. Androecium. (D.Borah, M.Khanal and G.Neelam 2267) |
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| Begonia neelamorum. A-C. Habitat |
Begonia neelamorum D.Borah & M.Khanal, sp. nov.
sect. Monophyllon
Diagnosis: Begonia neelamorum D.Borah & M.Khanal is most similar to B. prolifera A.DC. in having a globose tuber, a single, sessile, basifixed leaf with a uniformly light-green lamina, an inflorescence from the base of the lamina and a symmetric or subsymmetric, cordate leaf bases, but differs in its glandular-hispid indumentum (vs. glabrous to subglabrous), stem terete (vs. adaxially grooved), ovate lamina with double-serrate margins (vs. orbicular-cordate lamina with dentate to slightly incised margins, sometimes tuberculate at the edges), dichasial cymes (vs. thyrsoid cyme), shorter styles, 1 mm long (vs. 3 mm)
Etymology: The specific epithet honours the Neelam clan of the Nyishi tribe of Arunachal Pradesh, who assisted in the collection of the species during a particularly treacherous expedition. Neelam is also the name of the village inhabited by members of the clan and is among the nearest villages to the type locality from which the species was collected.
Vernacular name: Kobiirhopu Baabrai (Nyishi)
Dipankar Borah, Madhusudhan Khanal, Momang Taram and Neelam Gap. 2026. Begonia neelamorum (Begoniaceae sect. Monophyllon), A remarkable New Species from Arunachal Pradesh, Northeast India. Taiwania. 71(4); 617-620. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2026.71.617 [05 August 2026]
