Rediscovery and amended descriptions of Begonia kingdon-wardii (Begoniaceae) from North Myanmar

By

Chen, Wen Hong
Jin, Xiaohua
Shui, Yu-Min.

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2018

Original Publication

PhytoKeys

Volume

94

Pages

59-64

Subjects

Begonia , Begonia kingdon-wardii , Begonia sect. Sphenanthera , Myanmar , rediscovery

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers [2010]-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.94.21753

 

Abstract

Begonia kingdon-wardii Tebbitt was rediscovered in 2014 from Myanmar after 67 years based on its last collection in 1937. Its previously unknown female flower and inaccurate morphology of leaf and ovary have been additionally described. This species belongs to Begonia sect. Sphenanthera (Hassk.) Warb. due to its dioecious habit, 3-locular ovary, berry fruits and thick placenta segments. Morphologically, it is similar to Begonia gulinqingensis S. H. Huang & Y. M. Shui in the leaf shape, placentation and fruit shape, but different in its dioecious plants, pliciform leaves, two-petalled female flowers and berry fruits. The rediscovery of this amazing living species will attract significant interest for scientific research and horticultural application.