A New Species of Begonia Section Platycentrum (Begoniaceae) from Vietnam

Abstract

A new species of Begonia (Begoniaceae) from Vietnam, Begonia brevipedunculata Y. M. Shui, is described and illustrated. It belongs to section Platycentrum (J. F. Klotzsch) A. DC., which is distinguished by having two persistent styles and two locules in every ovary. Its chief diagnostic characters are the dense clavate glandular pubescence on the abaxial leaf surface and the scape much shorter than the petiole. The characters distinguishing the new species from Begonia howii Merrill & Chun and B. psilophylla Irmscher are noted. In addition, a key to six similar species at the border of China and Vietnam is presented.