Journal of Threatened Taxa |
www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 September 2021 | 13(11): 19626–19631
ISSN 0974-7907 (Online) | ISSN 0974-7893
(Print)
https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.6756.13.11.19626-19631
#6756 | Received 30 September 2020 | Final
received 30 July 2021 | Finally accepted 01 September 2021
New distribution records of two Begonias
to the flora of Bhutan
Phub Gyeltshen
1 & Sherab Jamtsho
2
1 Bumthang Forest Division, Department of
Forest and Park Services, Trongsa, Nubi-33001, Bhutan.
2 Zhemgang Forest Division, Department of
Forest Park Services, Zhemgang, Shingkhar-3400,
Bhutan.
1 gyeltshenforest@gmail.com (corresponding
author), 2 sherabjamtsho85@gmail.com
Editor: K. Haridasan,
Palakkad, Kerala, India. Date of publication:
26 Septtember 2021 (online & print)
Citation: Gyeltshen,
P. & S. Jamtsho (2021). New distribution records of two Begonias
to the flora of Bhutan. Journal of Threatened Taxa 13(11): 19626–19631. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.6756.13.11.19626-19631
Copyright: © Gyeltshen
& Jamtsho 2021. Creative Commons Attribution
4.0 International License. JoTT allows unrestricted use, reproduction, and
distribution of this article in any medium by providing adequate credit to the
author(s) and the source of publication.
Funding: Self-funded.
Competing interests: The authors
declare no competing interests.
Acknowledgements: Authors would like to express
sincere gratitude to the Director of the Department of Forest and Park
Services; Chief Forestry Officers, and staff of Bumthang
and Zhemgang forest divisions for their constant
motivation and encouragement. We also extend our thanks to Dr.
Mark Hughes and Dave Long for providing information on Begonia gemmipara and sharing herbarium specimens.
Abstract: Two species of Begonia are
collected and described for the flora of Bhutan—panchtharensis
and gemmipara. A detailed description,
ecology, distribution, notes and photographs of the recorded species are
provided.
Keywords: Begoniaceae, Begonia gemmipara,
Begonia panchtharensis, conservation status, description,
ecology, morphology, Thimphu.
The genus Begonia L. (Begoniaceae) comprises of more than 2000 accepted species
(Hughes et al. 2015), currently divided into 70 sections, distributed
throughout tropical, subtropical (Doorenbos et al.
1998; Moonlight et al. 2018) and temperate regions of the world. In Asia, 959
species in 19 sections have been recorded, with maximum distribution in southeastern Asia (Doorenbos et
al. 1998; Shui et al. 2002; Moonlight et al. 2018).
In Bhutan, Grierson (1991) described 20 species of which 13 are known, and the
addition of Begonia flaviflora Hara by Gyeltshen et al. (2021) increased the number of
species to 14. The present report provides two additional new records of Begonia
for Bhutan.
During a recent botanical
exploration to central Bhutan between June and August 2020, small natural
populations of Begonia species were observed in the shady and moist
areas in cool and warm broadleaved forests. The authors collected detailed
field notes and specimens for further examination. After detailed study on its
morphological characteristics and reviewing the literature (Clarke 1879; Hara
1971; Grierson 1991; Tsuechih et al. 1999; Rajbhandary et al. 2010; Camfield & Hughes 2018;
Pradhan et al. 2019) and consultation of herbarium specimens available at the
Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF 2020), it was identified as Begonia
panchtharensis Rajbhandary
(sect. Platycentrum (Klotzsch) A.DC) and Begonia gemmipara
Hook.f. & Thomson (sect. Putyzeysia
(Klotzsch) A.DC.). Grierson (1991) incorporated
brief descriptions of B. gemmipara in the
Flora of Bhutan based on the specimens collected from Darjeeling and Sikkim
states of India. B. panchtharensis is a
recently described species and is so far known from Nepal and Sikkim state of
India (Pradhan et al. 2019). Detailed morphological descriptions, phenology,
ecology, distribution, notes, and photographs are provided based on the
collected specimens. The voucher specimens are deposited at the National
Herbarium (THIM), National Biodiversity Centre, Thimphu,
Bhutan.
Taxonomic enumeration
Begonia panchtharensis
S. Rajbhandary
Gard. Bull. Singapore 62(1):
151–162. 2010
Type: Nepal, Panchthar,
Tinubote, Sisire, Prangbung, VDC, 2,240–2,300 m, 2.x.2007, U. Thamsuhang s.n., vouchered as
S. Rajbhandary S74 (holotype, E,
isotype, KATH) (Image 1).
Plant monoecious, rhizomatous
herb, 40–90 cm tall. Rhizomes, 10–25 long and 2–3.5 cm diameter covered
with long adventitious roots. Stipules broadly ovate,
20–30 x 8.5–14 mm, caducous, membranous, pinkish-white with light green tinge, glabrous, red spotted on the abaxial surface, apex
acuminate. Leaves arising from the rhizome; petioles 25–75 cm
long x 7–12 mm wide, cylindrical with two parallel grooves on adaxial surface, glabrous, yellowish-green with red striated spots on the
surfaces; blades slightly asymmetric, sub-orbicular, 20–42 × 18–40 cm, deeply
lobed, adaxial surface dark green with sparsely white hirsute, abaxial surface
pale green, glabrous with sparse white hairs on
veins, base strongly cordate, margin irregularly serrulate or dentate, lobes
6–8, apex acuminate, palmately 6–8 veined.
Inflorescences terminal or
axillary, cymose, dichotomously branched, 30–75 cm
long, female inflorescences longer than male inflorescences; peduncles cylindrical,
25–48 cm long, glabrous, semi-woody,
yellowish-green with red linear spots on the surface.
Floral bracts ovate-elliptic or
elliptic, 2–3.5 x 1.5–2.0 cm, caducous, membranous, pinkish, glabrous,
margin entire, apex acuminate, abaxial surface with circular or linear spots. Staminate flowers: pedicel 1.5–2.5 cm long, pale whitish-pink
or white, glabrous with few red spots; tepals four,
white to pale pink, 9–11 veined; outer two tepals broadly ovate, 15–24 x 10–15
mm, glabrous, apex sub-acute, base truncate, margin
entire; inner two tepals oblanceolate to obovate, 20–22 x 10–12 mm, white, glabrous, apex obtuse, base cuneate, margin entire; stamens
numerous, up to 5 mm long, distal filaments and anthers are longer than basal
ones; filaments free, 2–3 mm long, obovate-oblong to elliptic-oblanceolate,
1.5–2 mm long, golden yellow, anther connectives extended. Pistillate flowers:
pedicel up to 12–15 mm long, pale greenish-white or white with short linear red
spots; tepals 5, unequal, white, glabrous, margin
entire; outer three tepals, obovate or ovate-elliptic, 15–16 x 9–12 mm, apex
obtuse or rounded, base truncate, 8–9 veined; inner two tepals, obovate to
oblanceolate, 13–15 x 7–11 mm, apex obtuse or rounded, base truncate; styles 2,
persistent, 3–5 mm long, fused at base, golden yellow; stigma inner
margins thickened and spiraled, intermediate
portions flat and undulated, papillose; ovary oblong, slightly curved
downwards, 6.5–8.5 x 4–5 mm, glabrous, red circular
or linear granules on the surface with three unequal wings, dorsal wing longer
than the two lateral underdeveloped ridge like wings, 2-locular, placentation
axillary with two branches per locule. Fruits nodding
or pendant, 7–9 x 5–6 mm, slightly falcate, yellow-green, nodding; dorsal wing
obovoid or obovoid-oblong, 8–10 x 11–15 mm, wavy, margin flashed with red spots
to 2/3 of upper portions; lateral wings 8–9 x 1 mm, red tubercles on the wings;
seeds oblong, 0.5 mm long.
Specimens examined: Barcode No. THIM15584,
10.viii.2019, Bhutan: Trongsa, Tashidingkha,
27.4512°N, 90.4833°E, 1,898 m, coll. P. Gyeltshen,
coll. no. 018 - 019.
Phenology: Flowering and fruiting July to
September.
Habitat and ecology: The plant is lithophytes in the
shady rocky areas in the warm broadleaved forest at 1,898–2,070 m elevation.
The associated species includes Globba clarkei, Elatostema
sp., Sonerila khasiana,
Begonia josephii, and Persicaria
chinensis.
Distribution:
India, Nepal,
and new to Bhutan (Fig. 1).
Notes: The current distribution sites
are located within road buffer and the natural habitat could be disturbed or
changed due to road expansion and maintenance in future. This species is
encountered in the two locations with population less than 10 individuals in
the field. Further study is recommended to understand its population trend and
conservation status.
Begonia gemmipara Hook.f.
& Thomson III.
Himal. Pl. t. 14. 1855
C.B.Clarke in Hook.f.
Fl. Brit. India 2: 641. 1879; Hara in Flora of Eastern Himalaya 2:84.1971; Hara
in Hara and Williams, Enum. Fl. Pl. Nepal 2: 181.
1979; Grierson in Grierson and Long, Flora of Bhutan 2(1): 237–246. 1991.
Putzeysia gemmipara (Hook.f.
& Thomson) Klotzsch, Abh.
Konigl. Akad. Wiss. Berlin 1854: 255 (1855).
Type: Holo:
K000761398, 29.viii.1849, India, Sikkim, Lachoong,
2,743–3,048 m, coll. J.D. Hooker s.n. (Image 2).
Plant dioeceous
with tuberous herb, 18–35 cm tall. Tubercules globose,
1.5–2 cm diameter covered with numerous roots. Stems erect to
slightly pendent, 18–35 cm long, glabrous, 4–5
leaves per plant. Stipules narrowly ovate to lanceolate,
5–10 x 4–7 mm, green, glabrous, apex sub-acute to
obtuse, base truncate, margin entire, revolute. Leaves: petioles, 2–14
cm long, red to green, glabrous; lamina asymmetric,
narrowly ovate to lanceolate, 9–17 × 6–13 cm, adaxial surface glabrous to sparsely hairs, abaxial surface glabrous, base oblique, apex acuminate, margin irregularly
serrate or dentate, palmately 5–6 veined. Inflorescence terminal or
axillary, dichotomously branched, 2.5–3 cm long; peduncles cylindrical,
4–5 mm long, glabrous, pale whitish-green, bract
orbicular, 5.5–6 x 8–10 mm, connate at base, 5–6 veined. Floral bracts
orbicular, 6–7 x 7–14 mm, green, glabrous, margin
entire, 6–7 veined. Pistillate flowers: pedicel 8–10 mm long, pale
yellowish-green to whitish, glabrous; tepals 5–6,
unequal, white with pale yellow tinge, glabrous,
margin entire; outer tepals obovate or orbicular 6–8 x 5–7 mm, apex rounded,
base truncate to obtuse, 4–6 veined; inner tepals obovate to oblanceolate,
6.5–7 x 5–6 mm, apex slightly oblique rounded,
base cuneate, 1–3 veined; styles 3, distally U-shaped and V-shaped at base,
3–3.5 mm long, fused at base, golden yellow; stigma not spiraled, papillose; ovary triangular-globose, 4–4.5 x
3–3.5 mm, glabrous, wings underdeveloped, dorsal wing
minute ridge like wing and lateral wings inconspicuous, three locules, placentation xillary
with 2 branches per locule; seeds oblong, 0.5 mm
long, white.
Specimens examined: Barcode No. THIM15585, 03.viii.2019, Bhutan: Zhemgang, Malaya, 27.14549°N, 90.86361°E, 2,628 m, coll. S.
Jamtsho, coll. No. 05.
Phenology: Flowering and fruiting from late July to September
Habitat and ecology: This species is epiphytic on Dodecadenia
grandiflora in the cool broadleaved forest at 2,628 m elevation.
Distribution: India, Nepal, and new to Bhutan (Fig. 1)
Notes: Three
individual plants in a single location have been observed in the field are
without staminate flowers, so we couldn’t examine the
morphological characters of the staminate flowers at
present study and will supplement in the future studies. Further study on its
population trend and distribution are required to determine the conservation
status of the species. No threats have been observed in the field.
For
figure & images - - click here
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