Begonia monadelpha (Klotzsch) A.DC.

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 : 215-219

53. Begonia monadelpha (Klotzsch) A.DC.

Figs 65C , 69

Prodromus Systematis Naturalis Regni Vegetabilis 15 (1): 286 ( de Candolle 1864). – Barya monadelpha Klotzsch, Bericht über die zur Bekanntmachung geeigneten Verhandlungen der Königl. Preuss. Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin 1854: 122 ( Klotzsch 1854).

– Type: PERU – [Huánuco Region: Prov. Huánuco] • Muña ; [9°40′ S, 75°49′ W]; 1785; H. Ruiz & J.A. Pavón s.n.; lectotype: B [ B100243003 , F neg. 20852], designated here.

Klotzsch (1855: 143); Walpers (1858: 876); Smith & Schubert (1941a: 194); Brako & Zarucchi (1993: 193); Vásquez et al. (2005: 112–125); Wasshausen et al. (2014: 385).

Begonia monadelpha subsp. glabriflora Irmsch., Botanische Jahrbücher für Systematik, Pflanzengeschichte und Pflanzengeographie 76: 73, ( Irmscher 1953).

– Type: PERU – La Libertad Region: Prov. Pataz • Valle del río Mixiollo encima de Ongon ; [8°12′ S, 76°59′ W]; 2700–2900 m a.s.l.; 3 Aug. 1914; A. Weberbauer 7035; lectotype: B [ B101068553 ], designated here; isolectotypes: F [3: V0042325F , V0042324F , V0042323F ], MOL [3: MOL00002999 , MOL000003000 , MOL00003001 ]. Syn. nov.

Brako & Zarucchi (1993: 193); León & Monsalve (2006: 167).

Begonia soror Irmsch., Botanische Jahrbücher für Systematik, Pflanzengeschichte und Pflanzengeographie 76: 71 ( Irmscher 1953).

– Type: PERU – Amazonas Region: Prov. Chachapoyas • zweischen den Tampos Bagazan und Almirante ; [6°06′ S, 77°21′ W]; 2700 m a.s.l.; 30 Jun. 1904; A. Weberbauer 4440; holotype: B [ B100673678 ]. Syn. nov.

Brako & Zarucchi (1993: 195); León & Monsalve (2006: 169).

Etymology

The epithet monadelpha refers to the androecium of the species, in which the stamens are united into a single column.

Selected specimens examined

PERU • 1778–1788; H. Ruiz & J.A. Pavón s.n.; G [2]; G-BOIS [2]; G-DC, HAL ex B ex herb. Lamberti [ HAL0121709 ], MA [ MA813502 ] . – Amazonas Region: Prov. Utcubamba • Dist. Bagua Grande, Caserío Berlín , Bosque de Berlín ; [5°54′ S, 77°26′ W]; 2500–2600 m a.s.l.; 6 May 2005; E. Rodríguez R., S. Orroya A. & L. Rimarachin C. 2707; HUT, MO [ MO-2217479 ], US [ US00951215 ], USM . – Prov. Bongará • Dist. Yambrasbamba, Conservacion Privada Abra Patricia-Alto Nieva ; [5°40′ S, 77°46′ W]; 23 Jul. 2014; Y.F. Deng et al. 2242; USM • Dist. Yambrasbamba, Ruta 5N , Alto Mayor ; 5°41′ S, 77°47′ W; 2189 m a.s.l.; 25 May 2015; M.C. Tebbitt & A. Daza 833; MOL • Road from Amazonas to Rioja ; 5°42′01″ S, 77°48′26″ W; 2176 m a.s.l.; 31 Jan. 2016; P.W. Moonlight & A. Daza 148; E [ E00885458 ], G, MO [ MO-3254792 ], MOL. – Prov. Bagua • Cordillera Colàn SE of La Peca; 2286– 2408 m a.s.l.; [5°34′ S, 78°24′ W]; 12 Oct. 1978; P.J. Barbour 3993; MO [ MO-2180414 ], USM. – Prov. Chachapoyas • South side of Molinopampas-Diosan pass ; [6°10′ S, 77°41′ W]; 2700–3200 m a.s.l.; 8 Aug. 1962; J.J. Wurdack 1627; F, K, NY, US [2: US00222316 , US00222317 ], USM • Middle and upper slopes of Puma-urco southeast of Chachapoyas ; 2500–2700 m a.s.l.; [6°15′ S, 77°41′ W]; 25 May 1962; J.J. Wurdack 541; NY, US [2: US00222199 , US00222200 ], USM • Dist. Leymebamba, Alredor de la Laguna de los Cóndores , parte sur; 6°51.20′ S, 77°40.96′ W; 2500–2700 m a.s.l.; 16 Aug. 1998; V. Quipuscoa S., A. Sagastegui A., S. Leiva G. & M. Bejarano C. 1244; NY. – Cajamarca Region: Prov. Chota • Near Las Palmas , ca 24 km NE of Chota; 6°09′29″ S, 78°35′50″ W; 2034 m a.s.l.; 25 Jul. 2014; P.W. Moonlight & A. Daza 69; E [ E00724443 ], MOL, USM • Rejopampa, al O del pueblo de Paccha ; [6°25′ S, 78°45′ W]; 2500 m a.s.l.; 21 Jul. 1993; I. Sánchez V. 6565; CPUN • La Pauca ; [6°22′ S, 78°57′ W]; 2400 m a.s.l.; 22 Jul. 1993; J.G. Sánchez V. 861; CPUN. – Prov. Cutervo • Parque Nacional de Cutervo , trail from Chorro Blanco to San Andrés de Cutervo ; 6°10′ S, 78°45′ W; 2210–2240 m a.s.l.; 15 Sep. 1991; A.H. Gentry, C. Díaz & R. Ortiz 74830; MO [ MO-098019 ], USM • Parque Nacional de Cutervo , NW Corner of Cordillera Tarros, Chorro Blanco Sector , ca 10 km W of San Andrés de Cutervo; 6°12′ S, 78°46′ W; ca 2650 m a.s.l.; 4 Nov. 1990; M.O. Dillon, I. Sánchez, V. & J. Guevara B. 6138; CPUN, MO [ MO-1641384 ], US [ US00424979 ] • Dist. San Andrés de Cutervo, La Pacarilla ; [6°19′ S, 78°48′ W]; 2600 m a.s.l.; 16 Jun. 1980; J. Cabanillas S. 45; CPUN . – Prov. Celendin • Drainage of río Limon above Cortagana ( Chimuch ), 30–32 km WNW of Celendin; 6°33′ S, 78°17–18′ W; ca 2400 m a.s.l.; 2 Jul. 1947; F.R. Fosberg 28089; L, K, NY, P [ P05495341 ], US [ US00222203 ]. – Prov. Santa Cruz • Dist. Pulan, La Peña Blanca ; 2600 m a.s.l.; [6°45′ S, 78°53′ W]; 31 Jan. 2008; L. Santa Cruz 2115; HUT, USM. – San Martín Region • Dist. Huallaga, Valley of río Apisoncho , 30 km above Jucusbamba; 7°55′ S, 77°10′ W; 2100 m a.s.l.; 25 Aug. 1965; A.C. Hamilton & P.M. Holligan 1420; K. – Prov. Mariscal Cáceres • Forest near Gran Patajen Ruins ; ca 7°S, 77°W; 2600 m a.s.l.; 23 Jul. 1953; K. Young 127?; HUT. – Huánuco Region: Prov. Huánuco • cerros al este del río Huallaga , entre Muña y El Tambo; [9°32′ S, 75°46′ W]; 2400–2500 m a.s.l.; A. Weberbauer 6714; MOL [2], NY, US [3: US00222209 , US00222201 , US00222202 ] • Along road between Huánuco and Tingo María , vicinity of Carpish Tunnel , 1.1 km N of tunnel, ca km 455; 9°40′ S, 76°04′ W; 2680 m a.s.l.; T. B. Croat & M. Sizemore 81561; MO [ MO-1642398 ], US [ US00672859 ], USM • Sariapampa ; 9°55′ S, 76°11′ W; 7 May 1946; F. Woytkowski 294; G, MO [ MO-2264404 ], US [ US00222205 ], USM. – Pasco Region: Prov. Oxapampa • Dist. Huancabamba, Torrebamba ; 10°18′24″ S, 75°35′06″ W; 2550 m a.s.l.; 20 May 2004; R. Rojas, A. Peña & C. Rojas 2410; HOXA, MO [ MO-1101629 ] • Dist. Huancabamba, Parque Nacional Yanachaga-Chemillén , sector Abra Yanachaga ; 10°22′46″ S, 75°27′43″ W; 2900 m a.s.l.; R. Vásquez, A. Monteagudo, L. Valenzuela, J. Perea & J. Mateo 30447; HOXA, MO [ MO-1664177 ], US [ US00900530 ] • Dist. Chontabamba, La Suiza ; 10°40′15″ S, 75°30′48″ W; 2327 m a.s.l.; 5 Aug. 2009; R. Vásquez, A. Peña, R. Rivera & J. Bottger 36239; HOXA, MO [2: MO-3009202 , MO-3009293 ], USM. – Cusco Region: [Prov. Paucartambo] • Near río Yanamayo, below Pillahuata ; [13°09′ S, 71°35′ W]; 2000–2300 m a.s.l.; 4–5 May 1925; F.W. Pennell 14050; F, NY.

Description

Caulescent herb, to 4 m high. Stem erect at first but soon scandent, branching; internodes to 6 cm long, to 14 mm thick, woody to succulent, pale green to brown or red, sparsely to densely pilose or rarely glabrous. Stipules deciduous, lanceolate, 12–15 × 4–6 mm, apex acute, opaque, pale green to red, glabrous, margin entire, aciliate. Leaves> 5, alternate, basifixed; petiole 3.5–15 cm long, pale green to red, sparsely to densely pilose; blade asymmetrical, ovate in outline, to 15 × 10 cm, succulent, apex acute, base cordate, basal lobes not overlapping or rarely overlapping, sinus to 3 mm deep, margin with 1–4 triangular lobes on the broad side of the lamina and 0–2 lobes on the narrow side of the lamina, denticulate to double dentate, ciliate, upper surface bright to dark green, young leaves often iridescent blue and with silver patches along the major veins, sparsely to densely pilose, lower surface pale green to red, pilose, densely pilose on the major veins, veins palmate but with 1 major vein, 4–6 veined from the base, with 1–4 secondary veins on the larger side, 1–3 on the smaller side. Inflorescences 1–3 per stem, bisexual, axillary, erect, cymose, with 4–6 branches, bearing up to 128 staminate flowers and 56 pistillate flowers, protandrous; peduncle to 19 cm long, pale green to red, pilose, bracts deciduous, oblanceolate, 3–8 × 1–2 mm, translucent, pale red-brown, glabrous to pilose, apex acute to rounded or truncate, margin entire, aciliate. Staminate flowers: pedicels to 25 mm long, glabrous to pilose; tepals 4, projecting, subequal, narrowly-lanceolate, 10–20 × 3–8 mm, apex acuminate, bright red, glabrous, sometimes pilose on the outer surface, margin entire, aciliate; stamens 20–30, spreading, yellow, filaments 1–1.5 mm long, fused into a 5 to 20 mm long column and arising in a spiral from this, anthers elliptic to oblong, 0.5–1 × 0.5 mm long, dehiscing via short, lateral slits, connectives extending 0.2–0.4 mm, symmetrically basifixed. Pistillate flowers: pedicels to 60 mm long; bracteoles lacking; tepals 5, subequal, deciduous in fruit, projecting, lanceolate, 14–25 × 3–12 mm, apex acute, bright red, glabrous, margin entire, aciliate or rarely ciliate at the base; ovary body ovoid, 4–8 × 2–6 mm, bright red, glabrous to pilose, unequally 3-winged, the largest wing triangular, 4–10 × 1–2 mm, the smallest 2 marginal, to 1 mm; 3-locular, placentae branches divided, bearing ovules on both surfaces; styles 3, yellow, free, 8–10 mm long, once-divided, stigmatic papillae in a spirally twisted band. Fruiting pedicel to 60 mm long. Fruit body ovoid, to 10 × 7 mm, drying brown, wings same shape as in ovary, the largest expanding to 10–20 mm.

Proposed conservation assessment

Widespread and common across central and northern montane Peru, but rarer in southern Peru. Our current circumscription has an EOO of> 50 000 km 2, which includes several national parks and other protected areas. The species is common and conspicuous in disturbed and secondary forest as well as primary forest. We assess B. monadelpha as Least Concern (LC), which also replaces the Data Deficient (DD) assessment of B. monadelpha subsp. glabriflora Irmsch. by León & Monsalve (2006).

Synonymy notes

We recognise B. monadelpha as a widespread species but not one that is particularly variable. It does vary slightly in the relative proportions of the tepals of the staminate flowers to the androecium, the shape of the leaf lobes, and in the density of the hairs on the stem and leaves. Irmscher described B. soror Irmsch. to encapsulate specimens with longer androecia than tepals and broader leaf lobes than average, and B. monadelpha var. glabriflora to include glabrous specimens. Irmscher’s taxa each fall at the end of a continuum in variation from B. monadelpha so we include them as synonyms of this taxon.

Typification notes

Past authors have cited the authorship of B. monadelpha in two different ways. Smith & Schubert (1941a) cited it as “(Kl.) R. & P. ex A.DC.” while later authors (e.g., Golding & Wasshausen 2002) have generally used “Ruiz & Pav ex A.DC”. The protologue of B. monadelpha cites Barya monadelpha Ruiz ex Klotzsch in synonymy ( de Candolle 1864: 286), so this constitutes the basionym for B. monadelpha . The correct author citation is therefore “(Ruiz ex Klotzsch)A.DC.” The protologue of Barya monadelpha Ruiz ex Klotzsch cited specimens in “Herb. Ruizii” collected in Peru ( Klotzsch 1854: 122). A single sheet in Berlin herbarium collected by Ruiz and Pavón (B100243003) has “Ruiz” on the label and “ Barya monadelpha Kl. ” written later in Klotzsch’s handwriting. It is also the only specimen of B. monadelpha collected by Ruiz and Pavón with a label that unambiguously states it was collected in Muña. A work by Klotzsch (1855) states that the material he saw of this species was from this locality. We therefore designate this sheet as the lectotype of Barya monadelpha .

Irmscher cited material of the collection A. Weberbauer 7035 held in Berlin and Chicago in the protologue of B. monadelpha subsp. glabriflora ( Irmscher 1953: 73) . There are three sheets of this collection held in Chicago, but the superior collection is held in Berlin (B101068553) as it includes staminate flowers, pistillate flowers, and fruits. We therefore designate this specimen as the lectotype of B. monadelpha subsp. glabriflora herein. We also note that there are three excellent duplicates of this collection held at the Weberbauer herbarium in Universidad La Molina in Lima (MOL).

Identification notes

In flower, B. monadelpha is trivial to recognise as the only caulescent Peruvian species with bright red, projecting staminate tepals with an acuminate apex and stamens united into a long column. Sterile and immature individuals may be confused with other, lobed-leaved members of the acerifolia group of B. sect. Knesebeckia , especially B. acerifolia or B. arrogans . Neither of these species however share the scrambling habit of B. monadelpha , which usually climbs through dense vegetation. The three species also differ in their stem bases: B. acerifolia has a thickened rhizome at the base of the stem, the stem of B. wollnyi is thickened and appears woody, and the stem of B. monadelpha is equally succulent from the apex to the base of the plant.

Distribution and ecology

Endemic to Peru, though a photograph from an unknown locality in Southern Ecuador appears to show this species, and known from Amazonas, Cajamarca, San Martín, Huánuco, Pasco, and Cusco Regions ( Fig. 65C ). Found in northwest Peruvian relict montane forest, upper and middle montane forest at an elevation of 1800–3400 m a.s.l. Begonia monadelpha has been collected as an epiphyte or terrestrial herb and usually scrambles through dense vegetation to 4 m or more. The bright red flowers with projecting tepals suggest the species is hummingbird pollinated though no observations have been recorded and there is no nectar reward.

Figures

Fig. 65. Distribution of the acerifolia group of Begonia sect. Knesebeckia (Klotzsch) A.DC. in Peru and surrounding countries. A. B. acerifolia Kunth (red). B. B. arrogans Irmsch. (red) and B. ludwigii Irmsch. (blue). C. B. monadelpha (Ruiz ex Klotzsch) A.DC. (red) and B. serotina A.DC. (blue). D. B. huancabambae Moonlight sp. nov. (red) and B. wollnyi Herzog (blue). Black lines indicate country borders, grey lines indicate major administrative divisions, blue lines indicate rivers, and shading indicates elevation.

Fig. 69. Begonia monadelpha(Ruiz ex Klotzsch)A.DC. A. Habit.B. Habit, immature plant.C. Staminate flower, front view. D. Immature fruit. All photographs taken by P.W. Moonlight from P.W. Moonlight 51 (D) in Pasco Province, Oxapampa Region and 148 (A–C) in Bongará Province, Amazonas Region.