| Begonia amparoi Blasco, Alejandro, Tandang & Rubite, in Blasco, Alejandro, ... & Rubite, 2022. |
Abstract
We describe Begonia amparoi, a new species of Begonia section Baryandra from Linungaw Twin Islands, Mindanao, Philippines. It grows on limestone and has a robust habit, with a thick rhizome and large leaves. Begonia amparoi is currently known only from the type locality in a coastal island forest of Tandag City, Province of Surigao del Sur. Based on IUCN red list criteria, B. amparoi is considered Vulnerable (VU).
Keywords: endemic, limestone, taxonomy, Begonia trichochila, Vulnerable, Eudicots
| Begonia amparoi Blasco, Alejandro, Tandang & Rubite. A, Habit; B, Staminate flower front view; C, Staminate flower side view; D, Stamens; E, Pistillate flower bud; F, Young fruit with style and stigma; G, Young fruits; H, Cross section of the ovary. (Illustration by Danilo N. Tandang, based on the type collection). |
| Begonia amparoi Blasco, Alejandro, Tandang & Rubite. A, Rhizome; B, Habit; C, Habitat; D, Leaf abaxial view; E, Leaf margin; F, Inflorescence; G, Staminate flower side view; H, Staminate flower front view; I, Young fruits (Photos of the type collection). |
Begonia amparoi Blasco, Alejandro, Tandang & Rubite, sp. nov.
§ Baryandra
Diagnosis:—Begonia amparoi resembles B. calcicola Merr. in habit and having thick rhizomatous brown stems but differs in petioles with 3 mm red hairs from the top near the junction of lamina becoming glabrous down the base (vs. with numerous, scattered, brown, fimbriate 3mm palea); glabrous and longer leaves 33−35 cm (vs. hairy 10–20 cm); long peduncles, 68 cm (vs. 45 cm) and larger capsules 15−17 × 17−19 mm, broadly ovate, apex roundly acute, base obtuse (vs. 8 × 12 mm, obovoid, apex truncate, base rounded).
Etymology:—The specific epithet “amparoi” is derived from Dr. Amparo A. Perez to honor her 50 years of unending service to Saint Theresa College of Tandag. Educator, dean, haciendera, philanthropist, and a dear friend. Distribution and
Ecology:—Endemic to the province of Surigao del Sur, Mindanao, Philippines. It grows on limestone rocks in semi-shaded broadleaf forest at the seashore of Linungaw Twin Islands, where it is found on both the main island (which is the type locality) and the grotto island.
Freddie A. Blasco, Grecebio Jonathan D. Alejandro, Danilo N. Tandang, Marianita B. Vales and Rosario R. Rubite. 2022. Begonia amparoi (Begoniaceae, section Baryandra) A New Species from Linungaw Twin Islands, Surigao del Sur, Mindanao, Philippines. Phytotaxa. 549(2); 136-140. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.549.2.2