Taxonomic studies on Begonia (Begoniaceae) in Myanmar I: three new species and supplementary description of Begonia rheophytica from Northern Myanmar

Mya Bhone Maw,Hong-Bo Ding,Bin Yang,Pyae Pyae Win,Yun-Hong Tan

doi:10.3897/phytokeys.138.38721

Abstract

Three new species of Begonia (B. chenii, B. putaoensis and B. crassitepala) belonging to Begonia section Platycentrum and a supplementary description of B. rheophytica with a detailed description of female flowers from Putao, Kachin State, Northern Myanmar, are described and illustrated. All the new species are endemic to Northern Myanmar and can be easily distinguished from other species among the section Platycentrum. A detailed description, photographs, habitat, distribution and a comparison with the most related allied species for all new species are provided.

Highlights

Begonia Linnaeus (1753: 1056) (Begoniaceae) is one of the largest genera of angiosperm in the world, comprising more than 1900 species (Hughes et al 2015), currently divided into 70 sections (Moonlight et al 2018)
According to a recent updated checklist of Begonia from Myanmar by Hughes et al (2019), 73 species of Begonia have been recorded from Myanmar
After conducting a detailed examination of the morphological characteristics of the collected material, reviewing the type specimens and taxonomic publications, the authors have confirmed that the specimen of Begonia collected from northern Myanmar belong to species new to science, which are described and illustrated below

Summary

Introduction

Begonia Linnaeus (1753: 1056) (Begoniaceae) is one of the largest genera of angiosperm in the world, comprising more than 1900 species (Hughes et al 2015), currently divided into 70 sections (Moonlight et al 2018). Pistillate flower: pedicel 0.6–0.8 cm, tepals 6 (rarely 4 or 7), unequal, inner 3, elliptic, 8–10 × 3–4 mm, pink to white, glabrous, outer 3, ovate or elliptic, 7–11 × 5–7 mm, reddish or whitish pilose on outer surface; ovary red, slightly or densely pilose on the surface, triangular or rhomboid winged, 3–5 × 2–5 mm, placentation axillary, locules 3 or 4, placentae 2 per locule; styles 3, fused at base, stigma bifid with twisted bands, highly convolute, yellow or golden yellow.

Results

Conclusion