Begonia parviflora Poepp. & Engl.

Moonlight, Peter. W., Jara-Muñoz, Orlando A., Purvis, David A., Delves, Jay, Allen, Josh P. & Reynel, Carlos, 2023, The genus Begonia (Begoniaceae) in Peru, European Journal of Taxonomy 881, pp. 1-334 : 252-258

64. Begonia parviflora Poepp. & Engl.

Figs 81A, 82

Nova Genera ac Species Plantarum 1: 7 ( Poeppig & Endlicher 1835). – Scheidweileria parviflora (Poepp. & Endl.) Klotzsch, Bericht über die zur Bekanntmachung geeigneten Verhandlungen der Königl. Preuss. Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin 1854: 179 ( Klotzsch 1854). – Type: PERU – [Huánuco Region: Prov. Marañón] • Andinum Peruviae orientalis ad Pampayaco; [9°33′ S, 75°54′ W]; Jun.–Sep.; E.F. Poeppig s.n.; syntype: W [n.v.].

Klotzsch (1855: 179); de Candolle (1864: 370); Walpers (1858: 897); Smith & Schubert (1941a: 195, 1944: 83, 1946b: 93, 1952: 39); Smith & Wasshausen (1979: 238, 1986: 10); Brako & Zarucchi (1993: 194); Wasshausen et al. (2014: 385); Burt-Utley (2015: 71).

Begonia myriantha Britton , Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club 18 (2): 35 ( Britton 1891). – Type: BOLIVIA • Unduavi; [16°19′ S, 67°54′ W]; 2438 m a.s.l.; Oct. 1885; H. H. Rusby 691; lectotype :

NY [NY00118634], designated here; isolectotypes: BM [BM001191446], F [V0052634F], GH [2: GH00068258, GH00068259], K [K000536739], MICH [MICH1115795], NY [NY00118633], PH [ PH 00007795], US [2: US 00222465, US 00115399], WIS [WISv0257074WIS].

Smith & Schubert (1941a: 196).

Begonia micrantha Steud. (nom. inval.; nom. nud.), Nomenclator Botanicus 1: 194 ( von Steudel 1840).

Etymology

Named for its small flowers, which are extremely numerous and occur in inflorescences up to 1 m in diameter and likely larger.

Selected specimens examined

PERU • A. Matthews 1211; K • Peruvia subandina, E.F. Poeppig 1064 ; P [2: P06841681 , P06841682 ]. – Loreto Region: [Prov. Alto Amazonas] • Balsapuerto ; ca 220 m a.s.l.; [5°50′ S, 76°34′ W]; May 1933; G. Klug 3073; BM, K, MO [MO-1641660], NY • Putayacu, between Balsapuerto and Moyabamba; 600–1200 m a.s.l.; G. Klug 3225; K, MO [MO-1641314], NY. – Amazonas Region: Prov. Bagua • Road from Bagua to Santa María de Nieva ; 5°17′44″ S, 78°23′26″ W; 712 m a.s.l.; 30 Jan. 2016; P. W. Moonlight & A. Daza 137; E [2: E00885587 , E00885588 ], MOL • Dist. Aramango, Nueva Esperanza , camino hacia la Catarata; 5°28′31.0″ S, 78°21′52.9″ W; 1304 m a.s.l.; A. Orejuela, M. Cueva & J. Castillo 2734; E [ E01053108 ], USM • Serrania de Bagua , cordillera between río Utcubamba and río Chiriaco above La Peca; [5°35′ S, 78°23′ W]; 1700 m a.s.l.; 20 Jun. 1978; P. J. Barbour 2389; MO [2: MO-1641649, MO-1641650], NY [2], USM. – Prov. Bongará • 4 km N of Pomacochas on road to Rioja , trail down W of road; 5°40′ S, 77°22′ W; 2150–2200 m a.s.l.; 2 Jun. 1986; S. Knapp, P. Alcorn, J. Mallet & H. Esley 7485; MO [2: MO-1642821, MO-1835889] • Dist. Yambrasbamba, cerca a Laguna Negra ; [5°43′ S, 77°56′ W], 1860–2000 m a.s.l.; 2–26 Mar. 1967; S. S. Tillett 673-344; USM • Dist. Yambrasbamba, Yambrasbamba-Pomacocha between Yambrasbamba and Yanayacu; [5°46′ S, 77°55′ W]; 1900–2200 m a.s.l.; 24 Jun. 1962; J. J. Wurdack 1022; NY, USM. – Prov. Chachapoyas • Soloco, Oliañahui; [6°16′ S, 77°42′ W]; 2300–2500 m a.s.l.; 24 Nov. 1990; C. Díaz, J. Amaro & J. W. 4268; MO [MO-1835912], USM. – Prov. Rodríguez de Mendoza • Dist. Mariscal Benavides, Izcuchaca ; 6°19′40″ S, 77°31′05″ W; 1880 m a.s.l.; 29 Aug. 1998; R. Vásquez & J. Campos 25291; MO [2: MO-1641646, MO-1641647]; USM • Dist. Leimebamba, road from Monte Alegre to San Cayetano ; 6°35′41″ S, 77°31′10″ W; 1840 m a.s.l.; 19 Aug. 2012; R. W. Bussmann et al. 17151; E [ E00849168 ]. – Piura Region: Prov. Huancabamba • Dist. El Carmen de la Frontera, Rosarios Bajo, trocha entra campamento minero río Blanco y el Tambo; [5°00′ S, 79°22′ W]; 2190–2550 m a.s.l.; 24 Apr. 2006; A. Cano, N. Valencia & I. Salinas 16312; USM • Dist. El Carmen de la Frontera, río Samaniego, margen derecha, zona de amortiguamiento del Santuario Nacional Tabaconas-Namballe ; [5°06′ S, 79°21′ W]; 2150–2200 m a.s.l.; 25 Apr. 2003; S. Baldeón M. M. & J. Campos 5315; USM • arriba de Palambla; [5°23′ S, 79°36′ W]; 1500–1600 m a.s.l.; R. Ferreyra, E. Cerrate de Ferreyra & O. Tovar 10851; USM [2]. – Cajamarca Region: Prov. San Ignacio • Dist. San José de Lourdes, Passe del Cerro Picorana ; 4°59′25″ S, 78°54′05″ W; 2010 m a.s.l.; 18 Jan. 1999; C. Díaz et al. 10296; MO [MO-1835911] • Dist. San José de Lourdes ; 5°10′ S, 78°54′ W; 1750 m a.s.l.; I. Salinas 3; USM • Dist. Huarango, San Martín- Quebrada Colorada ; 5°17′ S, 78°42′ W; 860 m a.s.l.; 15 May 1996; J. Campos, R. Vásquez, A. Vásquez & P. López 2747; HUT, MO [2: MO-1641642, MO-1641642], NY, USM. – Prov. Cutervo • Dist. San Andrés de Cutervo, Parque Nacional de Cutervo, NW corner of Cordillera Tarros , Chorro Blanco Sector , ca 10 km WNW of San Andrés de Cutervo; 6°12′ S, 78°46′ W; ca 2550 m a.s.l.; 3 Nov. 1990; M. O. Dillon, I. Sánchez & J. Guevara B. 6110; CPUN • Road from Cutervo to San Andrés de Cutervo ; 6°15′43″ S, 78°41′54″ W; 2504 m a.s.l.; 26 Jul. 2014; P. W. Moonlight & A. Daza 72; E [ E00835916 ], MOL • La Pucarilla entre Socota y San Andrés ; [6°16′ S, 78°42′ W]; 2500 m a.s.l.; 2 Nov. 1991; I. Sánchez V., A. Sagastegui & J. Guevara 5964; CPUN, MO [MO-1641279], NY. – San Martín Region: Prov. Rioja • Dist. Pardo Miguel , El Afluente y la Marginal; 5°40′ S, 77°42′ W; 1300 m a.s.l.; I. Sánchez V. & M. Dillon 9020; CPUN, F • Km 399 of Carretera Marginal, trail to quebrada Venceremos and río Serranoyacu , 67 km E of Pomacochas, 8 km W of bridge of río Serranoyacu ; 5°45′ S, 77°29′ W; 1400– 1500 m a.s.l.; 13 Jun. 1986; S. Knapp & P. Alcorn 7745; MO [MO-1641664], USM • Pedro Ruiz Gallo- Moyobamba road, km 390, Venecermos ; 5°50′ S, 77°45′ W; 1770–2150 m a.s.l.; 5–7 Aug. 1983; D. N. Smith & S. Vásquez 4614; MO [MO-1641325]. – Prov. Moyabamba • 1838; A. Matthews s.n.; K • entre Nuevo Cajamarca y Venceremos, km 420 carretera Moyobamba ; [5°45′ S, 77°29′ W]; 22 Jun. 1981; I. Sánchez V. 2625; CPUN [2], F [ V0086774 F]. – Prov. Lamas • Dist. Alonso de Alvarado, San Juán de Pacayzapa, al este del puente (carretera a Moyobamba ); [6°16′ S, 76°46′ W]; 900 m a.s.l.; 14 Apr. 1973; J. Schunke V. 5933; NY [2], U [2]. – Prov. San Martín • Road from Tarapoto to Yurimaguas ; 6°22′53″ S, 76°16′49″ W; 394 m a.s.l.; 3 Feb. 2016; P. W. Moonlight & A. Daza 171; E [ E00885612 ], MO [3: MO-3254779, MO-3254785, MO-3254788], MOL • Cataratas de Ahuashiyacu, km 15 Tarapoto-Yurimaguas ; 6°29′ S, 76°21′ W; 700 m a.s.l.; 19 Jun. 1986; S. Knapp & P. Alcorn 7788; MO [MO-1641665], USM • Route from Tarapoto to Tocache , 7°44′31″ S, 76°39′39″ W; 917 m a.s.l.; 6 Feb. 2016; P. W. Moonlight & A. Daza 187; MOL. – Prov. Mariscal Cáceres • río del Peligro , E of río de las palmas; ca 7°S, 77°W; 2300 m a.s.l.; 14 Aug. 1986; K. Young 3946; HUT • ibid.; ca 7°S, 77°W; 2300 m a.s.l.; K. Young 4084; USM. – Prov. Huallaga • Dist. Saposoa, alrededores de Monumentos Históricos de Buenos Aires ( Zarumilla ); 6°36′34″ S, 77°21′30″ W; 1440 m a.s.l.; 11 Aug. 2000; V. Quipuscoa S., S. Leiva G., Y. Díaz V. & M. Strarup 2039; HUT • Abajo de La Morada ; 6°37′ S, 77°32′ W; 2000–2200 m a.s.l.; 12 Aug. 1997; V. Quipuscoa & J. Bardales 1015; HUT, MO [2: MO-1944292, MO-1944293], NY • Small path to Chacre off to the right of route from Saposoa to El Dorado ; 6°55′16″ S, 76°49′39″ W; 935 m a.s.l.; 5 Feb. 2016; P. W. Moonlight & A. Daza 178; E [ E00885599 ], G, MOL. – Ucayali Region: Prov. Coronel Portillo • Cordillera Azul, km 43 on Tingo María-Pucallpa road; [9°09′ S, 75°45′ W], ca 1500 m a.s.l.; 5 Jun. 1981; K. Young & G. Sullivan 748; MO [MO-1641638] • Dist. Iparía, cuenca del río Iparía , afluente del río Ucayali, Reserva Comunal el Sira; 9°25′57″ S, 74°32′47″ W; 350–400 m a.s.l.; 22 Sep. 2007; J. G. Graham 4754; MOL, US [ US 01008603]. – Prov. Padre Abad • Dist. Padre Abad, Cuenca del río Aguaytía , quebrada Chesman , cerca al Boquerón de Padre Abad ; 9°03′ S, 74°40′ W; 350–400 m a.s.l.; 4 Mar. 2004; J. Schunke V. & J. G. Graham 15842; F [ V0088035 F], G • Dist. Padre Abad, Boquerón de Padre Abad ; 9°04′24″ S, 75°41′02″ W; 410 m a.s.l.; 8 Feb. 2016; P. W. Moonlight & A. Daza 201; E [ E00885581 ], MOL • Dist. Padre Abad, cumbre de la Divisoria, entre Ucayali y Huánuco, cabecera del río Yurac, afluente del río Aguaytía ; 9°11′03″ S, 75°47′47″ W; 1500–1600 m a.s.l.; 26 Jun. 2007; J. G. Graham & J. Schunke V. 4053; MOL, US [ US 01008608]. – Huánuco Region: Prov. Marañón • Route W from Uchiza ; 8°36′42″ S, 76°36′25″ W; 1182 m a.s.l.; P. W. Moonlight & A. Daza 205; E [2: E00885585 , E00885586 ], MOL. – Prov. Leoncio Prado • Road between Tingo María and Pucallpa, km 32; 9°10′ S, 75°50′ W; 1350 m a.s.l.; 3 Jun. 1981; G. Sullivan & K. Young 1123; MO [MO-1835902] • Road from Tingo María to Divisoria , 9°12′09″ S, 75°49′30″ W; 1718 m a.s.l.; 7 Feb. 2016; P. W. Moonlight & A. Daza 190; E [ E00885616 ], MOL • Along road between Tingo María and Pucallpa , 16 km NE of turn off to Pucallpa north of Tingo María , 1.8 km SW of San Isidro; 9°20′57″ S, 76°00′50″ W; 800 m a.s.l.; 3 Jun. 1998; T. B. croat & M. Sizemore 81657; MO [2: MO-1641638, MO-1641637], USM. – Prov. Huánuco • Gasa, 12 km W of Punte Durand, N of Huánuco, río Chinchao Valley ; [9°38′ S, 76°03′ W]; 1300 m a.s.l.; 5 Nov. 1938; H. E. Stork & O. B. Horton 9859; K • Hacienda Paty entre Huánuco y Tingo María; [9°39′ S, 76°03′ W]; 2300–2400 m a.s.l.; 23 Jun. 1953; R. Ferreyra 9406; USM • A dos horas de Paty (cerca al campamento); 9°41.8′ S, 76°5.28′ W; 2400 m a.s.l.; I. Salinas & M. Chocce 410; USM. – Pasco Region: Prov. Oxapampa • Dist. Huancabamba, Parque Nacional Yanachaga-Chemillén, sector Tunqui ; 10°16′13″ S, 75°31′00″ W; 1840 m a.s.l.; 13 Feb. 2008; R. Vásquez, A. Monteagudo, A. Peña, J. Mateo, V. Fores & R. Rivera 33417; HOXA, USM • Dist. Huancabamba, Parque Nacional Yanachaga-Chemillén, sector San Daniel ; 10°26′35″ S, 75°26′16″ W; 2200–2500 m a.s.l.; R. Vásquez, A. Monteagudo, A. Peña, J. Mateo & V. Flores 31140; HOXA, MO [MO-2039745] • Dist. Villa Rica, Cerro el asensor, Bosque de Protección San Matias-San Carlos ; 10°45.28′ S, 74°55.92′ W; 1355 m a.s.l.; 28 Jun. 2003; J. Perea & C. Mateo 77; HOXA, MO [MO-1102975], US [2: US 00843976, US 00843977]. – Junín Region: Prov. Chanchamayo • Pichis trail, Yapas , [Yapaz]; [10°51′ S, 75°16′ W]; 1350–1600 m a.s.l.; 28–29 Jun. 1929; E. P. Killip & A. C. Smith 25481; NY • East of Quimirí Bridge , near La Merced; [11°02′ S, 75°18′ W]; 800–1300 m a.s.l.; 1–3 Jun. 1929; E. P. Killip & A. C. Smith 23851; NY • Schunke Hacienda, above San Ramón; [11°10′ S, 75°26′ W]; 1400–1700 m a.s.l.; 8–12 Jun. 1929; E. P. Killip & A. C. Smith 24600; NY. – Prov. Jauja • road from Monobamba to Jauja ; 11°23′31″ S, 75°19′39″ W; 1705 m a.s.l.; 17 Feb. 2016; P. W. Moonlight & A. Daza 263; E [ E00885582 ], MOL • Road from Monabamba to Uchumayo ; 11°28′12″ S, 75°15′35″ W; 1950 m a.s.l.; 17 Feb. 2016; P. W. Moonlight & A. Daza 268; E [2: E00885583 , E00885584 ], G, MOL. – Prov. Satipo • Road Satipo to Comas, above Mariposa ; 11°26′27.6″ S, 74°46′54.4″ W; 1430 m a.s.l.; 1 Oct. 2007; R. T. Pennington & A. Daza 1992; E [ E00567553 ], MOL • Road from Comas to Satipo , km 152, 11°30′38″ S, 74°40′00″ W; 2379 m a.s.l.; 12 Feb. 2016; P. W. Moonlight & A. Daza 234; E [ E00885567 ], MOL • La Molina University Field Station, ca 10 km N of Satipo on 5 S, ca 2 km E of field station; 11°09′40″ S, 74°38′32″ W; 1026 m a.s.l.; 20 Jun. 2014; P. W. Moonlight & A. Daza 22; E [ E00724459 ], MOL. – Ayacucho Region: Prov. La Mar • Ccarrapa , between Huanta and río Apurimac; [12°43′ S, 73°55′ W]; ca 1500 m a.s.l.; 5–17 May 1929; E. P. Killip & A. C. Smith 22390; NY [2]. – Madre de Dios Region: Prov. Manu • río Palotoa, tributary of Alto Madre de Dios , NW of Shintuya; [12°38′ S, 71°21′ W]; 500 m a.s.l.; 26–28 Aug. 1978; R. B. Foster 6768; F • 8 km N of Salvación on road to Shintuya ; [12°46′ S, 71°22′ W]; ca 500 m a.s.l.; 29 Jun. 1978; A. H. Gentry, M. Dillon, P. Berry & J. Aronson 23612; MO [MO-1641322] • río Salvación; [12°50′ S, 71°22′ W]; 589 m a.s.l.; P. Núñez 6564; F, MO [MO-2180354]. – Cusco Region: Prov. La Convención • Dist. Echarate, Katarompanaki ; 12°11′12″ S, 72°28′13″ W; 1800 m a.s.l.; 5–8 May 2004; N. Salinas, H. Beltrán, R. B. Foster & C. Vriesendorp 7038; USM • Dist. Maranura, Mesa Pelada ; 12°32′ S, 72°22′ W; 2547 m a.s.l.; 20 Apr. 2005; L. Valenzuela, E. Suclli, I. Huamantupa, J. Farfán, L. Cárdenas, V. Chama & J. Latorre 5528; MO [MO-2153577], US [ US 00932203] • Santa Teresa, Yanatile ; 13°05′ S, 72°24′ W; 2269–2800 m a.s.l.; 17 Apr. 2005; L. Valenzuela, E. Suclli, I. Huamantupa, J. Farfán, L. Cárdenas, V. Chama & J. Latorre 5428; MO [MO-2991356]. – Prov. Calca • Dist. Lares ; 12°28′ S, 71°35′ W; 2634 m a.s.l.; 16 Jun. 2005; L. Valenzuela, E. Suclli, I. Huamantupa, J. Farfán, N. Anaya, H. Coasaca & J. Tito 5654; MO [2: MO-1664125, MO-1664131] • Lacco Yabero ; 12°29′24″ S, 72°29′45″ W; 2278 m a.s.l.; 15 Jun. 2004; L. Valenzuela, E. Suclli, I. Huamantupa & J. La Torre 3819; MO [MO-1664187], US [ US 00900518] • Road Quebrada-Alto Lacco ; 12°37′22″ S, 72°14′40″ W; 2800 m a.s.l.; 1 May 2006; H. van der Werff, L. Valenzuela, E. Suclli & A. Carazas 21235; MO [2: MO-1839282, MO-1839283]. – Prov. Urubamba • Dist. Ollantaytambo, road from Quillabamba to Ollantaytambo ; 13°01′39″ S, 72°28′54″ W; 1920 m a.s.l.; 7 Aug. 2014; P. W. Moonlight & A. Daza 93; E [ E00724458 ], MOL, USM • Intipunco, a la altura de km 107, en la vía ferroriaría Cusco-Quillabamba ; 13°09′ S, 71°31′ W; 2900 m a.s.l.; 29 Oct. 1987; P. Núñez & J. Arque 8445; MO [MO-1641632] • A 110 km de Cusco entre Hidroeléctrica del 107 al km 112 en Machupicchu y Aguas Calientes ; 13°09′10″ S, 72°31′ W; 2000 m a.s.l.; 28 Nov. 1987; P. Núñez V. 8672; MO [MO-1835952]. – Prov. Paucartambo • Santa Isabel ; [13°02′ S, 71°32′ W]; 23–30 Jul. 1948; 1200 m a.s.l.; J. C. Vargas Calderón 7327; MO [MO-1641296] • río La Unión ; [13°05′ S, 71°33′ W]; 1700–1800 m a.s.l.; 10 Sep. 1991; B. León, K. Young & N. Huapaya 2883; USM • km 51 of road from Paucartambo to Pilcopata ; 13°09′26″ S, 71°35′40″ W; 2388 m a.s.l.; 4 Aug. 2014; P. W. Moonlight & A. Daza 81; E [ E00724457 ], MOL, USM. – Prov. Quispicanchis • Dist. Marcapata, Limacpunko, Community of Unión Arasa , Cullebrayoc trail; 13.4952°S, 70°8869° W; 2366–2434m a.s.l.; J. D. Wells & P. Centeno 965; USM • 16.6 km from Quincemil on road to San Lorenzo; [13°11′ S, 70°37′ W]; ca 390 m a.s.l.; 11 Jun. 1960; H. E. Moore, A. Salzar C. & E. E. Smith 8585; USM. – Ayacucho Region: Prov. La Mar • Dist. Anco, Camino de Chinquintirca a Toccate , altura de los km 206-207 del gaseoducto; 2300–2400 m a.s.l.; 24 Mar. 2005; J. Roque 4483; USM. – Puno Region: Prov. Carabaya • Cabeceras de río Candamo ; 13°18′ S, 70°07′ W; 800 m a.s.l.; 15 Nov. 1996; F. Cornejo V. & A. Balarezo 2703; MO [2: MO-1641634, MO-1641635]. – Prov. Sandía • Dist. San Juan del Oro, Pampa Grande ; 13°58′54.8″ S, 68°58′45.5″ W; 1347 m a.s.l.; 25 Feb. 2003; V. Ayala, P. Masco, I. Mamani, F. Mamani, J. Chambi & V. Ccapayqui 138; MOL • 2–6 km from Oconeque ; [14°02′ S, 69°43′W]; 1800–2100m a.s.l.; 22–25 May 1942; R. D. Metcalf 30600; MO [MO-1641294] .

Description

Caulescent herb, to 10 m high. Stem erect, branching; internodes to at least 15 cm long, to 5 cm thick, succulent to appearing woody, pale green to brown, indumentum. Stipules deciduous, lanceolate, 6–20 × 3–6 mm, apex acute, opaque, pale green, glabrous to glandular-pilose, margin entire, aciliate. Leaves> 5, alternate, basifixed; petiole 2–45 cm long, pale green to red, indumentum; blade asymmetrical, ovate in outline, very rarely lanceolate in immature plants, to at least 50 × 50 cm, chartaceous, apex acute to acuminate, base cordate, basal lobes rounded, sinus to at least 10 cm deep, margin with 3–5 irregular, triangular lobes around the edge of the lamina, rarely lacking lobes in immature plants, dentate, ciliate, upper surface green to purple, glabrous to densely glandular-pilose, lower surface pale green to red, sparsely pilose to densely pilose on the veins, veins palmate, 4–6 veined from the base, irregularly branching. Inflorescences 1–3 per stem, bisexual, axillary, erect, cymose, with 12 branches, bearing up to at least 1000 staminate flowers and 500 pistillate flowers, protandrous; peduncle to at least 30 cm long, white, green, red, or brown, sparsely to densely glandular pilose, bracts deciduous, broadly lanceolate, 3–8 × 1–5 mm, opaque, pale green, sparsely to densely glandular pilose, apex acute, margin entire, aciliate. Staminate flowers: pedicels to 6 mm long, sparsely to densely glandular pilose; tepals 4, spreading, ovate, 1–3 × 0.5–2 mm, apex rounded, white to pink, glabrous to sparsely glandular-pilose on the outer surface, margin entire, ciliate; stamens 40–75, spreading, pale to bright yellow, filaments 0.5–1.5 mm long, free, anthers cuboid to ellipsoid, 0.25–0.75 × 0.25 mm, dehiscing via lateral slits, connectives not extended to extending to ca 0.2 mm, symmetrically basifixed. Pistillate flowers: pedicels to 10 mm long; bracteoles 1, directly beneath the ovary, lanceolate, 1–1.5 × 0.5 mm, apex obtuse, opaque, white, glabrous, margin lacerate, ciliate; tepals 5, subequal, deciduous in fruit, spreading, lanceolate, 1–5 × 0.5–2 mm, acute, white to pink, glabrous to occasionally densely glandular-pilose at the base, margin entire to laxly serrate, aciliate; ovary body broadly ovate, 1–2 × 1–3 mm, white, densely glandular-pilose, sub-equally 3-winged, wings a <1 mm wide ridge; 3-locular, placentae branches entire, bearing ovules on both surfaces; styles 3, yellow, free, 2–3 mm long, 2-lobed, stigmatic papillae in a spirally twisted band. Fruiting pedicel to 1 cm long. Fruit body broadly ovoid, to 4 × 5 mm, drying brown, wings expanding to semi-circular wings, to 12 × 9 mm.

Proposed conservation assessment

Widespread and common to dominant throughout its Peruvian and global range, which includes many protected areas. We assess B. parviflora as Least Concern (LC).

Typification notes

Begonia parviflora was described from material collected by E.F. Poeppig in Pampayaco, Huánuco Region, Peru ( Poeppig & Endlicher 1835: 7). We have not seen any herbarium specimens matching this material, but any such specimens are most likely held in Vienna. We refrain from designating a type while it is unclear whether any syntypes exist.

The protologue of B. micrantha Steud. is included in a checklist citing names and their synonyms ( von Steudel 1840: 194). Begonia parviflora is cited as a synonym of this name, thus B. micrantha Steud. is a superfluous name of B. parviflora . The type of B. parviflora is not explicitly excluded from the author’s concept of B. micrantha so B. micrantha has the same type as B. parviflora ( Turland et al. 2018: Article 7.5).

Identification notes

When mature, this species is unmistakable among Peruvian Begonia species, as the only non-scrambling or climbing species reaching> 5 m in height and with its leaves usually double the size of any other Peruvian Begonia species. Furthermore, it has the largest inflorescences in the genus, frequently holding> 1000 flowers. Young, sterile plants may however be difficult to distinguish from other lobed-leaved species, including B. monadelpha , B. arrogans , or B. acerifolia . It is best distinguished by its indumentum of glandular-pilose hairs, which is always present on young stems and usually present on the leaves. These hairs give B. parviflora a rough, sandpaper-like texture. This character also holds in the rare cases when the species has unlobed, lanceolate leaves (e.g., P.W. Moonlight & A. Daza 155).

Distribution and ecology

Known from Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. Within Peru, it is found in Loreto, Amazonas, Piura, Cajamarca, San Martín, Ucayali, Huánuco, Pasco, Junín, Madre de Dios, Cuzco, Ayacucho and Puno Regions ( Fig. 81A). Known from Amazonia, lower, middle, and upper montane forest, and northwest Peruvian relict montane forest at an elevation of 200–2950 m a.s.l. Begonia parviflora is locally common to dominant in recently disturbed montane forest, such as landslide scars, stream banks, and forest edges. It is rarely encountered in undisturbed montane forest. The species is most likely wind pollinated.