394 . MERRILL. 
. Begonia rhomUcarpa A. DC. in Ann. Sci. Nat. IV. 11 (1859) 129, Prodr. 15^ 
(1864) 323; F.-Viil. Noviss. App. (1880) 98; Vid. Phan. Cuming. Philip. (188o) 
116, Rev. PI. Vase. Filip. (1886) 143; Perk. Frag. FI. Philip. (1904) 53; Merr. 
in Philip. Journ. Sci. 1 (1900) Suppl. TOO. 
Begonia merrillii Warb. in Perk. Frag. Fl. Philip. (1904) 53. 
This variable species is the most common and widely distributed one in 
the Philippines, occurring at low and medium altitudes, and as here interpreted, 
is represented by the numerous specimens cited below. Various forms are 
represented, but these are apparently largely due to habitat, although future 
careful field work mny lead to a somewhat different disposition of some of the 
Bpecimcns. From an examination of dried material only, I have been unable 
to find characters by which any of the forms can constantly be distinguished, that 
is, characters that I consider worthy of being taken into consideration as a 
basis of specific or even varietal distinctions. 
Form A, with small to medium leaves, mostly less than 5 cm long, and with 
short stems which are more or less densely covered with brown stipules; 
Luzon, Province of Laguna, Calauan, Cuming 510 (cotype) : Province of 
Bataan, Lamao River, Whitford 20//, J/OO, Merrill 3124, Williams 33, 250; Limay, 
Bur. Sci. 6183 Robinson, 
Form B, with medium to large leaves, mostly 6 to 11 cm long, and short stout 
stems covered with stipules : 
Luzon, Province of Nueva Vizcaya, Cordon, Merrill 1^3 (cotype of B. merrillii 
Warb.): Province of Bataan, Lamao River, Whit ford 500, 1291, Borden 758, 
Elmer 6680 For. Bur, 13553 Alvarez: Province of Rizal, Tanay, Merrill 23J,3; 
Bosoboso, For. Bur. 3308 Ahern's collector; Antipolo, Bur. Sci. 12105, 12536 
Ramos: Province of Tayabas, Atimonan, Gregory IJfl: Province of Albay, Bur. 
Sci. 2919 Mearns. Mindoro, Puerto Galera, Merrill 3324, October, 1903: Mount 
Malasumba, For, Bur. 8629 Merritt; Bulalacao, Bur. Sci. 1527 Bermejos. Mnir- 
D,\NA0, District of Cotabato, Bur. Sci. 11719 Robinson. 
Form C, with small leaves, and slender, extended, stems, not covered with 
stipules: 
Luzon, Province of Bataan, Mount Mariveles, Merrill 3862, Whitford 13Vh 
August, 1904, and September, 1905, altitude about 1,000 m. 
This form grows on cliffs on exposed forested ridges, and its extended stems 
is probably due to its habitat. 
Form D, with medium or large leaves and extended stems not covered with 
, stipules: 
Luzon, Province of Bataan, Lamao River, Whitford 492, July, 1904, Bur. Sci. 
1584 Foxworthy: Province of Laguna, Los Bafios, Bur. Sci. 9912 Robinson: 
Province of Cavite, Mendez Nunez, Bur, Sci. 1286 Mamguhat, August. 1906: 
Province of Isabela, Bur, Sci, 8029 Ramos: Province of Cagayan, Caua Volcano, 
Clark, August, 1908. Leyte, Palo, Elmer 7115, January, 1906. Mindanao, 
Province of Surigao, Allen 161, Bolster 302: Butuan Subprovince, Weber 1208. 
Palawan, Malampaya Bay, Merrill 7245. 
This form corresponds to form B in its leaves, but differs in its slender,' 
extended stems which are not covered with stipules, the internodes varying 
from 1 to 5 cm in length. 
As to the name of the species, judging from Kamel's description of "Acetosa 
nxgritarum'\ on which Steudel based the name Begonia nigritarum, I am of the 
opinion that there can be no doubt but that Kaijiel's plant was quite the same 
as the species usually known as Begonia rhombicarpa A. DC, and, in fact, 
- P.-Villar makes the same suggestion. The plant is common and widely distri- 
