Begoniayenyeniae (Begoniaceae), a new species from Endau Rompin National Park, Johor, Malaysia.

Joanne Pei-Chih Tan,Sheh May Tam,Ruth Kiew

doi:10.3897/phytokeys.110.25846

Joanne Pei-Chih Tan, Sheh May Tam + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.110.25846

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Abstract

Begoniayenyeniae is a new species of horticultural value known only from the Endau Rompin National Park, Peninsular Malaysia. It is similar to Begoniarajah with which it had previously been confused in the number of tepals and leaf characters. The new species is compared with three similar species, B.foxworthyi, B.rajah and B.reginula and photographs of all four species and descriptions of B.yenyeniae and B.rajah are provided. Molecular analysis using the ndhF-rpl132 chloroplast marker confirms the four species as distinct. Amongst native species, the three variegated species, B.yenyeniae, B.rajah and B.reginula, are some of the most popular Malaysian begonias in cultivation. Based on its restricted distribution, Begoniayenyeniae, under the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, is assessed as Critically Endangered.

Highlights

Asian begonias are prized for the eye-catching variety of colours and patterns of their variegated leaves and so are targets for horticultural interest as a genetic source for new hybrid cultivar development
The description and measurements of the new species are based on herbarium specimens deposited in the Kepong Herbarium, Forest Research Institute Malaysia (KEP) and Singapore Botanic Gardens Herbarium (SING) and fresh material cultivated in the KEP nursery
Interspecific relationships amongst the proposed new species (B. yenyeniae), B. foxworthyi, B. rajah and B. reginula were inferred from our current, on-going phylogenetic study that focuses on Begonia species from Peninsular Malaysia

Summary

Introduction

Asian begonias are prized for the eye-catching variety of colours and patterns of their variegated leaves and so are targets for horticultural interest as a genetic source for new hybrid cultivar development. It has never been re-found, another species, Begonia reginula Kiew (Figure 4), similar in leaf characters, was discovered in Terengganu, but it proved to be a distinct species based on the different number of tepals (Kiew 2005, Tan 2016).

Results

Conclusion