PhytoKeys (Nov 2022)

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

  • Xin-Xin Feng,
  • Xiao-Feng Huang,
  • Yu-Ni Huang,
  • Zhi-Xian Liu,
  • Ren-Kun Li,
  • Jin-Ye Zhou,
  • Wei Guo,
  • Xiao-Yan Chen,
  • Dai-Ke Tian

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.214.90004
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 214
pp. 27 – 38

Abstract

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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.