Thursday, September 14, 2017

[Botany • 2017] Begonia ufoides (sect. Coelocentrum, Begoniaceae) • A New Species from Limestone Areas in central Guangxi, China


Begonia ufoides C.-I Peng, Y.H. Qin & C.W. Lin


Abstract

A peltate-leaved species of Begonia was recently collected from a limestone hill in central Guangxi, China. Based on a careful study of literature, herbarium material, and plants both in the wild and in cultivation reveals that it is a new species of Begonia sect. Coelocentrum, which we hereby describe as Begonia ufoides. In addition to a full taxonomic account, color plates and line drawings are provided to aid in identification. Begonia ufoides may be confused with B. umbraculifolia Y. Wan & B.N. Chang in southwestern Guangxi and B. phuthoensis H.Q. Nguyen in northern Vietnam, both of which are peltate-leaved calciphilous species in sect. Coelocentrum, but the new species  is clearly distinguishable in many morphological characters. A table comparing salient features of the three species is presented.

Keywords: BegoniaB. ufoides, China, Guangxi, Limestone, New species, Eudicots


FIGURE 2. Begonia ufoides C.-I Peng, Y.H. Qin & C.W. Lin.
A, B. Habitat and habit; C, D, E. Portion of leaf, adaxial and abaxial surfaces; F. Inflorescence; G. Staminate flower, face and side views; H. Pistillate flower, face and side views. All from Peng 24361 (HAST).

 Begonia ufoides C.-I Peng, Y.H. Qin & C.W. Lin, sp. nov. 

 Etymology:–– The specific epithet refers to the suborbicular peltate leaves. 


Yong-Hua Qin, Yong-Yan Liang, Wei-Bin Xu, Che-Wei Lin and Ching-I Peng. 2017. Begonia ufoides (sect. Coelocentrum, Begoniaceae), A New Species from Limestone Areas in central Guangxi, China. Phytotaxa. 316(3); 279–284. DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.316.3.7