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Thursday, September 4th, 2025

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    4:04a
    [Botany • 2025] Begonia kuofangii (Begoniaceae, sect. Coelocentrum) • A New Species from Karst Area of southwestern Guangxi, China

     

    Begonia kuofangii W.B.Xu & W.G.Wang, 

    in Wang, Yang, Li, Xi, Shen et Xu. 2025.

    Abstract
    Begonia kuofangii, from Leiping Town, Daxin County is a new species endemic to the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. This is the latest addition to Begonia section Coelocentrum. It resembles Begonia subcoriacea C.-I Peng, Yan Liu, S. M. Ku but differs in leaf shape (ovate-oblong vs widely ovate or suborbicular), peduncle and pedicels indumentum (subglabrous vs glandulose-pilose with reddish trichomes), pistillate flower tepals (2(-3) vs 3). Only about 100 mature individuals were found in less than 5 km2 area, hence Begonia kuofangii is provisionally assessed as Critically Endangered (CR).

    Keyword: Begoniaceae, Begonia subcoriacea, China, Guangxi, limestone flora, new species

     Illustration of Begonia kuofangii.
    A–B. Habitat. C. Rhizome. D. Stipule. E. Petiole. F–G. Adaxial and abaxial surfaces of leaves showing size and color variation. H–I. Sections of adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces showing indumentum difference. J–K. Front and back views of staminate flower. L. Indumentum of the abaxial of staminate flower. M. Stamens. N–O. Side and front view of pistillate flower. P–Q. Side view of young fruits. R. Cross section of ovary. (Photos A–B by Wei-Bin Xu, C–R by Wen-Guang Wang)


    Begonia kuofangii W.B.Xu & W.G.Wang, sp.nov. 
    Sect. Coelocentrum | 國芳秋海棠 

    Diagnosis: Begonia kuofangii morphologically resembles Begonia subcoriacea C.-I Peng, Yan Liu, S. M. Ku (Peng et al., 2008) in rhizome, subleathery leaves and greenish-yellow flowers, but differs in having smaller stipules size (7–9 × 6–9 vs 10–25 × 8–14 mm), an ovateoblong leaf shape (vs widely ovate or suborbicular), peduncle and pedicels subglabrous (vs glandulose-pilose with reddish trichomes), inner tepals size of staminate flowers (2–3 vs 4–6), filaments basally nearly free (vs fused), pistillate flower tepals 2 (-3) ( vs 3).
      
    Etymology: The specific epithet “ kuofangii” is in honor of Dr. Kuo-Fang Chung, curator of Research Museum and Herbarium (HAST), Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, for his emphatic interest and substantial contribution to the study of Guangxi Begonia (Chung et al. 2014; Tseng et al. 2019; Liu et al., 2020). 


    Wen-Guang Wang, Sen Yang, Ren-Kun Li, Hou-Cheng Xi, Jian-Yong Shen, Wei-Bin Xu. 2025. Begonia kuofangii, A New Species of Begonia sect. Coelocentrum (Begoniaceae) from Karst Area of southwestern Guangxi, China.  Taiwania. 70(4);622 - 625. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2025.70.622 [02 September 2025] 
    https://taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/2117 

    4:27a
    [Botany • 2025] Begonia wumingensis (Begoniaceae, sect. Coelocentrum) • A New Species with long rhizomes from Central Guangxi of China
     
    Begonia wumingensis J.Y.Zhou, S.K.Guan & D.K.Tian, 

    in Guan, Tian, Zhou, Huang, Yan, Tao, Song et Lu, 2025. 

    Abstract
    Begonia wumingensis is a new species of Begonia section Coelocentrum discovered in the broad-leaved forest of the karst mountainous area in central Guangxi of China. It has extremely long creeping rhizomes, and is similar to B. longiornithophylla in morphology, but the main differences lie in its rhizome internodes and petioles usually subglabrous when mature, stipules glabrous and without dorsal ridge, leaves flat and subglabrous, flowers lacking glandular hairs, longer abaxial wings of the fruits, and early flowering time. Based on its small population, narrow distribution range, and continuing decrease in population size due to human’s disturbances, it is assessed as Critically Endangered according to Guidelines for Using IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

    Keyword: Begonia auritistipula, B. longiornithophylla, Begonia sect. Coelocentrum, karst landform, long rhizome, new taxon

    Begonia wumingensis J.Y.Zhou, S.K.Guan & D.K.Tian.
    A,B. Habitat and habit, photographed in Wuming, China; C. Wild plant; D. Rhizome showing stipules only at shoot; E. Adaxial (left) and abaxial (right) leaf surfaces; F. Leaf sections showing adaxial (upper) and abaxial (lower) indumentums; G. Petioles showing different colors; H, J. Inflorescences; I. Peduncles subglabrous and reddishbrown base; K. Front (left), side (middle) and back (right) views of staminate flower; L. Side view of androecium; M. Front (left), side (right two) views of pistillate flower; N. Side view of stigmas; O. Stipule; P. Bracts; Q, R. Side (Q) and back (R) views of young fruits; S. Mature fruit with persistent tepals; T. Cross-section of ovary. (Photos by Jinye Zhou)

    Begonia wumingensis J.Y.Zhou, S.K.Guan & D.K.Tian, sp. nov. 
    武鸣秋海棠  

    Diagnosis: Begonia wumingensis is similar to B. longiornithophylla. The main differences are that its mature stem internodes are subglabrous or sparsely (vs. densely) villous, stipules caducous (vs. persistent) without (vs. with) a dorsal ridge, mature petioles subglabrous (vs. villous to tomentose), adaxial leaf surface nearly glabrous (very sparsely short bristled) and flat (vs. rough surface with scabrid and glandular punctate), abaxial leaf surface subglabrous or sparsely grayish-white short-hispid only along main veins (vs. densely red-scabrous along veins), peduncles are subglabrous or sparsely villous (vs. glandular villous), pedicels sparsely short-hispid (vs. glandular villous), outer tepals of staminate and pistillate flowers subglabrous or sparsely short-hispid near pedicel or ovary (vs. obviously red villous), capsules with longer (8–13 mm vs. ca. 5 mm long) abxial wings, and earlier flowering (Nov.–Feb. vs. Feb.–May) (Liu et al., 2020) (Table 1).


    Shikai Guan, Daike Tian, Jinye Zhou, Zhanwen Huang, Haixia Yan, Dayan Tao, Qian Song and Jiashi Lu. 2025. Begonia wumingensis, A New Species of Begonia (sect. Coelocentrum) with long rhizomes from Central Guangxi of China. Taiwania. 70(4); 626 - 630. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2025.70.626 [03 September 2025]
      https://taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/2118

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