[Botany • 2025] Begonia mabuhayensis (Begoniaceae, sect. Baryandra) • A New Species from Surigao del Sur, Philippines

 

Begonia mabuhayensis Blasco, Alejandro & Rubite,

in Blasco, Alejandro et Rubite, 2025.

taiwania.NTU.edu.tw/abstract/2113 

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Abstract

Begonia mabuhayensis is described as a new species endemic to the Philippines from the multi-layered rocky floors of Mount Egang, Mabuhay, Tandag, Surigao del Sur. B. mabuhayensis closely resembles B. amparoae in having thick rhizomatous stems, stipules with aristate apex, thick and fleshy lamina, curved petioles, 4-tepaled staminate and pistillate flowers, ovary with unequal wings and nodding capsules, but differs in having shorter rhizome, glabrous oblong stipule with longer arista (vs. puberulous, triangular with shorter arista), ovate leaf (vs. broadly ovate), and capsule with orbicular wings and cordate apex (vs. angular and truncate). Following the IUCN criteria, the authors recommend B. mabuhayensis as Data Deficient (DD).

Keyword: Begonia amparoae, Begonia tanauanensis, lithophytic, Mindanao Island, Surigao provinces

Begonia mabuhayensis Blasco, Alejandro & Rubite.
A. Rhizome, B. Stipule with arising arista, C. Stipule with full grown arista, D. Leaf adaxial surface, E. Leaf abaxial surface, F. Staminate flowers, G. Pistillate flower face view, H. Pistillate flower side view, I. Pistillate buds & mature capsules, J. Mature capsules (drying), K. Cross section of the ovary, L. Dried capsules.

All from Freddie A. Blasco 22–006.

Begonia mabuhayensis Blasco, Alejandro & Rubite sp. nov.  

 section Baryandra

Diagnosis: Begonia mabuhayensis resembles B. amparoae Blasco, Alejandro, Tandang & Rubite (Fig. S2) in habit, with thick rhizomatous stems, thick and fleshy lamina, 4-tepaled staminate and pistillate flowers, and an ovary with unequal wings. However, it differs in having a shorter rhizome, 6 cm × 1.5–2 cm (vs. longer, 10 cm × 2.5–3 cm); glabrous oblong stipule (vs. puberulous triangular), shorter inflorescence, 57 cm. (vs. 72 cm), shorter peduncle, 49 cm. (vs. 68 cm), and a larger capsule, 20–21mm × 25–26 mm, with orbicular wings, cordate apex and cordate base (vs. 15–17 mm × 17–19 mm, with angular wings, truncate apex and rounded base).

Freddie A. Blasco, Grecebio Jonathan D. Alejandro and Rosario R. Rubite. 2025. Begonia mabuhayensis (section Baryandra, Begoniaceae), A New Species from Surigao del Sur, Philippines. Taiwania. 70(4); 591-594.  DOI: 10.6165/tai.2025.70.591 [2025 August 07]

 https://taiwania.NTU.edu.tw/abstract/2113

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[Botany • 2022] Begonia amparoi (Begoniaceae, sect. Baryandra) • A New Species from Linungaw Twin Islands, Surigao del Sur, Mindanao, Philippines

Begonia amparoi Blasco, Alejandro, Tandang & Rubite, 

in Blasco, Alejandro, ... & Rubite, 2022. 

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.549.2.2 

 Abstract

We describe Begonia amparoi, a new species of Begonia section Baryandra from Linungaw Twin Islands, Mindanao, Philippines. It grows on limestone and has a robust habit, with a thick rhizome and large leaves. Begonia amparoi is currently known only from the type locality in a coastal island forest of Tandag City, Province of Surigao del Sur. Based on IUCN red list criteria, B. amparoi is considered Vulnerable (VU).

Keywords: endemic, limestone, taxonomy, Begonia trichochila, Vulnerable, Eudicots

 

Begonia amparoi Blasco, Alejandro, Tandang & Rubite.
A, Habit; B, Staminate flower front view; C, Staminate flower side view; D, Stamens; E, Pistillate flower bud; F, Young fruit with style and stigma; G, Young fruits; H, Cross section of the ovary.

(Illustration by Danilo N. Tandang, based on the type collection).

Begonia amparoi Blasco, Alejandro, Tandang & Rubite.
A, Rhizome; B, Habit; C, Habitat; D, Leaf abaxial view; E, Leaf margin; F, Inflorescence; G, Staminate flower side view; H, Staminate flower front view; I, Young fruits

(Photos of the type collection).

Begonia amparoi Blasco, Alejandro, Tandang & Rubite, sp. nov. 

§ Baryandra 

Diagnosis:—Begonia amparoi resembles B. calcicola Merr. in habit and having thick rhizomatous brown stems but differs in petioles with 3 mm red hairs from the top near the junction of lamina becoming glabrous down the base (vs. with numerous, scattered, brown, fimbriate 3mm palea); glabrous and longer leaves 33−35 cm (vs. hairy 10–20 cm); long peduncles, 68 cm (vs. 45 cm) and larger capsules 15−17 × 17−19 mm, broadly ovate, apex roundly acute, base obtuse (vs. 8 × 12 mm, obovoid, apex truncate, base rounded).

Etymology:—The specific epithet “amparoi” is derived from Dr. Amparo A. Perez to honor her 50 years of unending service to Saint Theresa College of Tandag. Educator, dean, haciendera, philanthropist, and a dear friend. Distribution and

 Ecology:—Endemic to the province of Surigao del Sur, Mindanao, Philippines. It grows on limestone rocks in semi-shaded broadleaf forest at the seashore of Linungaw Twin Islands, where it is found on both the main island (which is the type locality) and the grotto island.

 

Freddie A. Blasco, Grecebio Jonathan D. Alejandro, Danilo N. Tandang, Marianita B. Vales and Rosario R. Rubite. 2022. Begonia amparoi (Begoniaceae, section Baryandra) A New Species from Linungaw Twin Islands, Surigao del Sur, Mindanao, Philippines. Phytotaxa. 549(2); 136-140. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.549.2.2 

[Botany • 2021] Begonia lanuzaensis (Begoniaceae, sect. Petermannia) • A New Species from Surigao del Sur, Mindanao Island, Philippines

Begonia lanuzaensis Blasco, Rubite, Cortes & Alejandro.

in Blasco, Rubite, Cortes & Alejandro, 2021. 

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.523.3.1

 

Abstract

Begonia lanuzaensis from Mt. Nabuywang, Lanuza, Surigao del Sur, is described as a new species endemic to the Philippines. B. lanuzaensis is allied to B. mindanaensis and B. agusanensis in having oblanceolate leaves with short petioles and four-tepalled staminate flowers but is distinct in having glabrous stems and petioles; bigger, triangular and glabrous stipules and larger leaves.

Key words: Begonia, endemic, monoecious, Mindanao, Surigao del Sur, taxonomy 

Begonia lanuzaensis Blasco, Rubite, Cortes & Alejandro.
A. Habit; B. Cross-section of ovary; C. Female bud; D. Fruit; E. Female flower (front view); F. Male flower (front view); G. Female flower attached to the node.

 Illustration by: Propa Joy Santor.

Begonia lanuzaensis Blasco, Rubite, Cortes & Alejandro.
 A. Habit; B. Female flower; C. Ovary; D. Stipule; E. Male flower.

Begonia lanuzaensis Blasco, Rubite, Cortes & Alejandro, sp. nov.  

Sect. Petermannia

Diagnosis:—Begonia lanuzaensis is similar to B. mindanaensis Warb. in its habit with arching stems, oblanceolate leaves with short petioles, and four–tepalled staminate flowers. However, the new species differs in having larger leaves (18–20 × 7–9 cm, not 7–10 ×2–4 cm) with tiny pink bristles on the margin (vs. without bristles), glabrous stipules (vs. pubescent), glabrous stems (vs scabrid), and female flowers with 4 tepals (vs. 5). 

It superficially resembles B. agusanensis Merr. in having erect stems and leaves with short petioles, but differs in leaf shape (base obliquely acute, not obliquely cordate) and male flowers solitary in the axils (not in many flowered cymes on a long peduncle).

Etymology:—The specific epithet “lanuzaensis” is derived from the type locality. 

Distribution and ecology:—Endemic to the Province of Surigao del Sur, Mindanao, Philippines. It grows on shady, moist rocky slopes along sides of small streams. 

Freddie A. Blasco, Rosario R. Rubite, Junelito  C. Cortes, Grecebio Jonathan D. Alejandro. 2021. Begonia lanuzaensis (sect. Petermannia, Begoniaceae) A New Species from Surigao del Sur, Mindanao Island, Philippines. Phytotaxa. 523(3); 203-207. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.523.3.1

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