Begonia parvibracteata, a new species in Begonia sect. Platycentrum (Begoniaceae) from Guangxi of China, based on morphological and molecular evidence

By

Xinxin, Feng
Wei, Dan
Huang, Yuni
Zhixian, Liu
Renkun, Li
Zhou, Jinye
Guo, Wei
Dan, Wei
Tian, Daike

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2022

Original Publication

PhytoKeys

Volume

214

Pages

27--38

Subjects

ITS , Morphology , new taxon , southern China , taxonomy

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers [2010]-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.214.90004

 

Abstract

The previously reported begonias in a limestone forest of Guangxi mainly belong to Begonia sect. Coelocentrum Irmscher. In this article, we described and illustrated a new species in sect. Platycentrum (Klotzsch) A.DC., Begonia parvibracteata X.X.Feng, R.K.Li & Z.X.Liu, which was discovered in a karst forest of south-western Guangxi. The begonia shows high morphological similarity to B. subhowii S.H. Huang and B. psilophylla Irmscher, but differs from the latter two in its narrower oblique-ovate asymmetric leaf blade, 4 (occasionally 6) tepals of pistillate flower and smaller membranous inflorescence bracts. Molecular phylogenetic analysis, based on ITS sequence data, supports the new species as monophyletic and distinct from B. subhowii and B. psilophylla. Considering its narrow distribution and the disturbance of human activities, the conservation status of new taxon is evaluated as “Vulnerable” (VU B1, B2 ab (i, iv, v), D2) according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.