Begonia semiovata Liebm.

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 : 126-131

28. Begonia semiovata Liebm.

Figs 42B , 44

Videnskabelige Meddelelser fra den Naturhistoriske Forening i Kjöbenhavn 1852: 22 ( Liebmann 1852).

– Type: NICARAGUA • In monte Mombacho; [14°50′ N, 85°48′ W]; 609 m a.s.l.; Jan. 1845 –1848; A.S. Ørsted 209; lectotype: C [ C10008294 , F neg. 21708], designated by Smith (1973: 215) .

Walpers (1858: 941); de Candolle (1864: 382); Standley (1937: 745); Smith & Schubert (1946b: 77, 1958: 56); Smith (1973: 215); Smith & Wasshausen (1979: 238, 1986: 8, 1989: 46); Brako & Zarucchi (1993: 195); Vásquez et al. (2005: 112–125); Burt-Utley (2015: 80).

Begonia humilis var. glabrata Seem., Botany of the Voyage of H. M.S. Herald 4: 128 ( Seeman 1854).

– Type: PANAMA • Chagras ; 1 Apr. 1840; A. Fendler 297; lectotype: BM, designated here; isolectotypes: B [ F neg. 20913], BM, G-DC ex Petrop., GH [ GH00068164 ], K [2: K000536734 , K000536734 ], MO [ MO-510279 ], US [ US00115313 ] .

de Candolle (1859: 142).

Begonia flexuosa A.DC., Annales des Sciences Naturelles Botanique, Série 4 11: 142 ( de Candolle 1859).

– Type: PANAMA • Chagras ; 1 Apr. 1840; A. Fendler 297; lectotype: K [ K000536734 ] designated here; isolectotypes: B [ F neg. 20913], BM, G-DC ex Petrop., GH [ GH00068164 ], K [ K000536734 ], MO [ MO-510279 ], US [ US00115313 ] .

de Candolle (1864: 382); Standley (1937: 745).

Begonia guyanensis A.DC., Annales des Sciences Naturelles Botanique, Série 4 11: 142 ( de Candolle 1859).

– Type: GUYANA • Guyana; 1837; M.R. Schomburgk 334; lectotype: G-DC, designated here; isolectotypes: BM [ BM001191444 ], K [ K000536762 ], G [F neg. 24184], OXF, TCD [ TCD0005565 ] • BRAZIL • Ad Rio Negro; C.F.P.S. Martius s.n.; syntype [n.v., herbarium unkown]. de Candolle (1864: 381); Standley (1937: 745).

Begonia spruceana A.DC., Annales des Sciences Naturelles Botanique, Série 4 11: 142 ( de Candolle 1859).

– Type: PERU – [San Martín Region: Prov. Tarapoto] • Prope Tarapoto ; [6°27′ S, 76°20′W]; 1855–1856; R. Spruce 4211; lectotype: G-DC [F neg. 7330]¸ designated here; isolectotypes: K [ K000006050 , K000006048 ], TCD [ TCD0005556 ] • COLOMBIA • Prov. De Barbawas ; [Santa Barbara?], 250 m a.s.l.; 1851–1857; J.J. Triana s.n.; syntype: BM .

de Candolle (1864: 381); Smith & Schubert (1941a: 199, 1946b: 78).

Begonia rosea A.DC., Prodromus Systematis Naturalis Regni Vegetabilis 15 (1): 299 ( de Candolle 1864).

– Type: COSTA RICA • Aguarate; 1857; C. Hoffman 730; holotype: B [ B100243069 ] .

Smith & Schubert (1946b: 78).

Begonia guyanensis var. glaberrima C.DC. ex Donn.Sm. , Botanical gazette 20: 540 ( Smith 1895).

– Type: COSTA RICA • Jiménez , Llanos de Santa Clara , Comarca de Limón ; 200 m a.s.l., Apr. 1804; J.D. Smith 4814; lectotype: G, designated here; isolectotypes: GH [ GH00068170 ], US [ US00115327 ] .

Smith & Schubert (1946b: 78).

Hoffmannella rosea Klotzsch ex A.DC. (nom. inval.; nom. rej. pro syn. Begonia rosea A.DC. ), Prodromus Systematis Naturalis Regni Vegetabilis 15 (1): 299 ( de Candolle 1864).

Begonia filipes auct. non Benth.: Brako & Zarucchi, Monographs in Systematic Botany from the Missouri Botanical Garden 45: 192 ( Brako & Zarucchi 1993).

Begonia meyeniana Walp. pro parte in A.DC., Prodromus Systematis Naturalis Regni Vegetabilis 15 (1): 395 ( de Candolle 1864).

Begonia meyeniana Walp. pro parte in O.E.Schulz in Urban, Symbolae Antillanae 7 (1): 27 ( Schulz 1911).

Begonia meyeniana Walp. pro parte in L.B.Sm. & Wassh., Phytologia 54 (7): 468 ( Smith & Wasshausen 1984).

Begonia humilis Dryand. pro parte in R.Vásquez et al., Arnaldoa 12 (1–2): 112–125 ( Vásquez et al. 2005).

Etymology

Named for the distinctive, semi-circular wings of its ovary and fruit.

Selected specimens examined

PERU – Loreto Region: Prov. Maynas • Dist. Putumayo, Inventario Rápido ’25 , Campamento Medio Campuya ; 1°31′03.4″ S, 73°48′58.2″ W; 135–200 m a.s.l.; 27 Oct. 2012; M. Ríos, N. Dávila, I. Huamantupa, W. Trujillo & C. Vriesendorp 2833; F [ V0387176F ] • Yanamoto, Explorama tourist Camp , río Amazonas above mouth of río Napo ; 3°28′ S, 72°50′ W; 120 m a.s.l.; 28 Dec. 1982; A.H. Gentry & L. Emmons 38753; MO [ MO-1641529 ], USM • Dist. Iquitos, río Itaya , Nueva Esperanza , trail to Peña Negra; [3°52′ S, 73°21′ W]; ca 110 m a.s.l.; 19 Dec. 1974; S. McDaniel 19489; MO [ MO-1641464 ], NY, US [ US00222298 ]. – Prov. Mariscal Ramón Castilla • Dist. Pebas, Pacaurquillo , Pevas ; [3°14′ S, 71°56′ W]; 25 Oct. 1980; F. Ayala, J. Torres, A. del Castillo & R. Pérez 2716; MO [ MO-1641451 ]. – Prov. Alto Amazonas • Northwest slopes of Cerros Campanquiz , río Marañón just above Pongo de Manseriche; [4°27′ S, 77°35′ W]; 250–350 m a.s.l.; 17 Oct. 1962; J.J. Wurdack 2281; K, NY, US [ US00222300 ], USM • Balsapuerto ; [5°50′ S, 76°19′ W]; 220 m a.s.l.; Jan. 1933; G. Klug 2840; BM, K, MO [ MO-1641492 ], NY, US [ US00222305 ] • Between Yurimaguas and Balsapuerto (lower rio Huallaga basin) ; [5°51′ S, 76°19′ W]; 135–150 m a.s.l.; 26–31 Aug. 1929; E.P. Killip & A.C. Smith 28091; NY, US [ US00222306 ]. – Prov. Requena • Dist. Sapuena, Basin of río Ucayali , Jenaro Herrera and vicinity , Supay Cocha , Quebrada Braga , entrance at 2 ½ hour upstream by 25 h.p. outboard from Jenaro herrea; 4°55′ S, 73°45′ W; 25 Nov. 1988; D.C. Daly, D. Maytehuari, H. Pacaya, L. Vilchez, O. Mozombite, D. Angulo & R. Canayo 5763; K, MO [ MO-1641460 ], NY, US [ US0022289 ] • Dist. Puinahua, reserva nacional Pacaya-Samira (cuenca del Pacaya) , Cocha Yarina , Caño Alfaro ; 5°15′ S, 74°30′ W; 80– 200 m a.s.l.; 4 Jul. 1987; C. Grández & J. Ruiz 1142; MO [ MO-1641468 ], US [ US00672840 ] • Canal Iberia , ca 5 km from río Tepiche; [5°48′ S, 74°00′ W]; 18 Oct. 1968; S. McDaniel & B. Marcos 11338; MO [ MO-1641530 ], NY. – Prov. Loreto • Dist. Nauta, Reserva Nacional Pacaya-Samiria , quebrada Pucate ; 4°44′57″ S, 73°51′56″ W; 128 m a.s.l.; 6 Nov. 2008; R. Vásquez, C. Davidson, S. Davidson, R. Rojas, L. Valenzuela, F. Díaz & A. Peña 34603; HOXA, MO [ MO-2218454 ] • Dist. Nauta, río Yanayacu , compimento Palizada ; 5°03′03″ S, 74°12′04″ W; 90 m a.s.l.; 3 Nov. 1992; C. Del Carpio, O. Toyan & J. Ruiz 1633; MOL. – Prov. Ucayali • Dist. Pampa Hermosa, Parque Nacional Cordillera Azul , PV106 Boca Pauya , río Cushabatay ; 7°04′07.6″ S, 75°51′42.4″ W; 368 m a.s.l.; 29 May 2018; L. Valenzuela, J. Flores, G. Shareva, R. Villacorta & R. Macedo 35415; USM. – Amazonas Region: Prov. Bagua • Path to east of Kuzu Grande , accessed via petroleum extraction site; 5°02′24″ S, 78°15′41″ W; 350 m a.s.l.; 30 Jan. 2016; P.W. Moonlight & A. Daza 131; E [ E00885570 ], MOL • Road from Bagua towards Santa Maria de Nieva , between El Muyo and Mesones Muro; 5°16′54″ S, 78°22′31″ W; 512 m a.s.l.; 30 Jan. 2016; P.W. Moonlight & A. Daza 127; E [ E00885573 ], MOL. – Prov. Condorcanqui • río Cenepa , outskirts of Huampami ; [4°27′ S, 78°10′ W]; 292 m a.s.l.; 2 Oct. 1972; B. Berlin 165; MO [ MO-285204 ], NY, USM. – Prov. Condorcanqui • Dist. El Cenepa, Comunidad de Mamayaque , Cabecera de la quebrada Saasá ; 4°37′03″ S, 78°19′57″ W; 560 m a.s.l.; 13 Aug. 1997; R. Vásquez & E. Quiaco 24530; HUT, MO [ MO-286205 ], MOL, NY, US [ US00672837 ] • Bajo Cachiaco, río Nieva ; [5°05′ S, 77°59′ W]; 8 Dec. 1997; J. Albán, B. Millán, N. Malca & R. Apanú 9861; E [ E01007274 ], MO [ MO-2991020 ]. – San Martín Region: Prov. San Martín • Route from Tarapoto to Yurimaguas ; 6°22′53″ S, 76°16′49″ W; 394 m a.s.l.; 4 Feb. 2016; P.W. Moonlight & A. Daza 172; E [ E00885899 ], MOL • Dist. Tarapoto, km 40–42 entra la via Tarapoto-Yurimaguas ; 6°24′20.3″ S, 76°15′52.7″ S, 375 m a.s.l.; 14 Feb. 2017; A. Orejuela, J. Castillo & M. Cueva 2787; USM); [Dist. Tarapoto], Tarapoto ad saxa rivulorum ; [6°27′ S, 76°20′ W]; R. Spruce s.n.; K. – Prov. Mariscal Cáceras • Angashyacu ± 10 km de Juanjui margen derecha Huallaga ; [7°06′ S, 76°39′ W]; 300–400 m a.s.l.; 25 Aug. 1948; R. Ferreyra 4583; USM. – [Prov. Tocache] • Dist. Tocache, camino a Santa Rosa (margen derecha del río Mishollo); [8°01′ S, 76°40′ W]; 350–750 m a.s.l.; 5 Aug. 1973; J. Schunke V. 6715; MO [ MO-1641519 ], NY, USM. – Pasco Region: Prov. Oxapampa • Dist. Palcazú, Puente Pan de Azúcar , camino a playa caliente; 10°15′10″ S, 75°13′28″ W; 304 m a.s.l.; 8 Jun. 2008; R. Rojas, L. Chuck & C. Rojas 5695; HOXA, USM • Dist. Palcazú, Comunidad Nativa San Pedro de Pichanaz , Sector Azulis , cercanías del central comunal; 10°28′12″ S, 75°04′60″ W; 480 m a.s.l.; 24 Sep. 2005; A. Monteagudo M., A. Peña, R. Francis, H. Chamorro, L. Quicha & A. Pascual 10167 ( HOXA, MO [ MO-2183950 ], US [ US00951208 ], USM • Pichis Trail , San Nicolas ; [10°41′ S, 74°55′ W]; ca 1100 m a.s.l.; 4–5 Jul. 1929; E.P. Killip & A.C. Smith 26050; NY, US [ US00222308 ]. – Junín Region: Prov. Satipo • 2 km S of Satiopo; [11°16′ S, 74°38′ W]; ca 700 m a.s.l.; 24 Jun. 1977; J.C. Solomon 3283; MO [ MO-1642541 ]. – Madre de Dios Region: Prov. Manu • río Manu , Cocha Cashu Station ; 11°50′ S, 71°25′ W; 350 m a.s.l.; 15 Aug. 1984; R.B. Foster 9829; F, MBM, MO [ MO-1641504 ], NY, USM • Cocha Cashu uplands ; 11°45′ S, 71°10′ W; 400 m a.s.l.; 19 Aug. 1986; P. Núñez 5833; MO [ MO-163447 ] • Pakitsa , guard post, entrance to Manu Park; [12°00′ S, 71°14′ W]; 360 m a.s.l.; 26 Oct. 1979; A.H. Gentry, J. Aronson, J. Terborgh & R. Ramirez 27255; MO [ MO-1641533 ]. – Prov. Tambopata • Las Piedras , Cusco Amazónico ; 12°28′ S, 69°03′ W; 200 m a.s.l.; 6 Sep. 1991; M. Timaná & A. Rubio 2229 ( MO [ MO-1641496 ]. – Cusco Region: río Arasa ; 1066 m a.s.l.; [13°22′ S, 70°54′ W]; 7 Jun. 1943; C. Sandeman 3702; K, OXF • Prov. La Convención • Campamento Malvinas ; 11°52′12″ S, 72°56′28″ W; 455 m a.s.l.; 20 Sep. 1997; P. Acevedo R., P. Núñez & F. Ramírez 9838; US [ US00594422 ], USM • Prov. La Convención, Dist. Echarate, Segakiato in the Camisea River , lower Urubamba Region; 11°47′30″ S, 72°53′00″ W; 320 m a.s.l.; 2 Oct. 1997; P. Núñez, P. Acevedo & M. Chuspe 20999; US, USM. – Prov. Quispicanchis • Cadena ; [13°20′ S, 70°51′ W]; 1020 m a.s.l.; 29–30 Jul. 1946; J.C. Vargas Calderón 6170; CUZ, MO [ MO-1641487 ], US [ US00222302 ]. – Prov. Paucartambo • Keros ; [13°01′ S, 71°26′ W]; 750 m a.s.l.; J.C. Vargas Calderón 17871; US [ US00222295 ]. – Puno Region: Prov. Carabaya • lowland rainforest along roadside in the vicinity of San Gabán ; [13°33′ S, 70°27′ W]; 900 m a.s.l.; 12 Jun. 1982; D.C. Wasshausen & A. Salas 1253; K, MO [ MO-1641461 ], US [ US00222292 ] • río Candamo fila at mouth of río Guacamayo ; 13°30′ S, 69°50′ W; 700–800 m a.s.l.; 24 May 1992; A.H. Gentry, C. Reynel, R. Ortiz & P. Núñez 77114; MO [ MO-098140 ], USM.

Description

Caulescent herb, to 30 cm high. Stem trailing to erect, branching; internodes to 7 cm long, to 3 mm thick, sometimes branching at the lower nodes, succulent, pale green to red, glabrous. Stipules late deciduous, lanceolate, 3–9 × 1.5–3 mm, apex acuminate, translucent, pale green, glabrous, margin entire, aciliate. Leaves> 5, alternate, basifixed; petiole 0.5–1.6 cm long, pale green to red, glabrous; blade asymmetric, lanceolate, to 8 × 3 cm, membranaceous, apex acute to acuminate, base cordate on the broad side of the blade, the basal lobe overlapping the petiole, cuneate on the narrow side of the blade, margin double serrate, ciliate, upper surface green, usually with a silver line around the edge of the lamina, glabrous, lower surface pale green to red, glabrous, veins pinnate, with 4–7 secondary veins on the larger side, 3–4 secondary veins on the smaller side. Inflorescences 1–5, bisexual, axillary, erect, cymose, with 2 branches, bearing up to 4 staminate flowers and 2 pistillate flowers, protandrous; peduncle to 2.2 cm long, green to red, glabrous, bracts persistent, lanceolate, 0.5–1 × 0.2–0.5 mm, translucent, white, glabrous, apex acute, margin entire, aciliate. Staminate flowers: pedicels to 8 mm long, glabrous; tepals 2, spreading, ovate to spherical, 2–3 × 2–3 mm, apex rounded, white, glabrous, margin entire, aciliate; stamens ca 15, spreading, yellow, filaments 0.5–1.5 mm long, free, anthers ovoid, ca 0.5 × 0.3 mm, dehiscing via lateral slits, connectives not extended, symmetrically basifixed. Pistillate flowers: pedicels to 7 mm long; bracteoles 2, positioned directly beneath the ovary, obovate, ca 1 × 1 mm, apex truncate, translucent, white, glabrous, margin lacerate, ciliate; tepals 5, subequal, persistent in fruit, spreading, ovate, 1–2 × 0.5–2 mm, apex obtuse, white, glabrous, margin entire, aciliate; ovary body ovoid, 1.5–3 × 1.5–3 mm, white to pale green, glabrous, sub-equally 3-winged, wings semi-circular, 2–4 × 1–2 mm; 3-locular, placentae branches divided in the largest locule, entire in the two smallest locules, bearing ovules on both surfaces; styles 3, yellow, free, 0.5–1.5 mm long, once-divided, stigmatic papillae in a spirally twisted band. Fruiting pedicel to 7 mm long. Fruit body ovoid, to 5 × 3 mm, drying brown, wings same shape as in ovary, expanding to 5 × 3 mm tall.

Proposed conservation assessment

Widespread and often common in its Peruvian, South American and Central American range, which includes numerous protected areas. We assess B. semiovata Liebm. as Least Concern (LC).

Notes

In their Begonia accounts for the floras of Ecuador and Peru, Smith & Schubert (1941a: 193; 1986: 9) described the placentae of B. spruceana A.DC. (a synonym of B. semiovata ) as “variable even within the same ovary”. We have dissected five individuals of Peruvian B. semiovata and their placentae were consistent: divided in the largest locule, and entire in the smallest two locules.

Typification notes

The protologue of B. semiovata cites material collected by Anders Sandøe Ørsted at 2000 feet on Mombacha volcano in Nicaragua ( Liebmann 1852: 22). Smith (1973) cited C.A. Ørsted s.n. in Copenhagen as the holotype of this name. There is only one specimen in Copenhagen that could be considered to match this citation, so this was an effective lectotypification.

Alphonse Pyramus de Candolle described B. flexuosa A.DC. based upon the collection A. Fendler 297 but did not cite an herbarium ( de Candolle 1859: 142). De Candolle also cited material identified as B. humilis var. glabrata Seem. , which is an unpublished name. The only duplicate of A. Fendle r 297 that we know of that has this annotation is the duplicate in Kew (K000536734). This sheet has a determination slip by de Candolle, which also cites the protologue of B. flexuosa citation. We designate this duplicate the lectotype of B. flexuosa .

Begonia guyanensis A.DC. was described based upon two collections: M.R. Schomburgk 334 from Guyana and C.F.P.S Martius s.n. from the Rio Negro in Brazil ( de Candolle 1859: 142). We have not been able to locate the Brazilian collection but are aware of several duplicates of the Guyanan collection. We designate a duplicate in the Candolle herbarium as the lectotype of B. guyanensis . This collection includes notes by de Candolle, which indicates he used this duplicate to describe the name.

The protologue of B. spruceana cited the collection R. Spruce 4211 and an unnumbered collection made by José Jerónimo Triana ( de Candolle 1859: 142). We have only seen one of Triana’s collections that matches de Candolle’s description and the Spruce collection, which is J.J. Triana s.n. in the British Museum (BM). This collection has no annotations by de Candolle so is not an ideal lectotype. There are four known sheets of R. Spruce 4211, which also lack annotations by de Candolle. We designate the duplicate in the de Candolle herbarium (F neg. 7330) as the lectotype of B. spruceana herein because de Candolle saw this duplicate.

John Donnell Smith described B. guyanensis var. glaberrima C.DC. ex Donn.Sm. based upon the collection J.D. Smith 4814 from Costa Rica ( Smith 1895: 540). No herbarium was cited, so it is appropriate to designate a lectotype. Duplicates exist in G, GH, and US but as de Candolle was based in Geneva, we designate the duplicate in G as the lectotype of B. guyanensis var. glaberrima herein.

Identification notes

Begonia semiovata and B. humilis are diminutive, annual species commonly encountered in lowland Amazonian Peru. The two species are best distinguished by their stipules, which are entire in both species but are aciliate in B. semiovata and ciliate in B. hirtella . Both species fruit throughout the year and the fruit wings are semi-circular in B. semiovata but triangular in B. humilis .

Distribution and ecology

Known from Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, Guyana, French Guiana, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Brazil. Within Peru, known from Loreto, Amazonas, San Martín, Huánuco, Pasco, Junín, Madre de Dios, Cuzco, and Puno Regions ( Fig. 42B ). Found in Amazonian and lower montane forest at an elevation of 90–1100 m a.s.l. Begonia semiovata is mostly found on riverbanks or other slopes in humid lowland rainforest. It appears to be a short-lived or annual species.

Figures

Fig. 42. Distribution of Begonia sect. Doratometra (Klotzsch) A.DC. in Peru and surrounding countries. A. B. humilis Dryand. (red). B. B. semiovata Liebm. (red). Black lines indicate country borders, grey lines indicate major administrative divisions, blue lines indicate rivers, and shading indicates elevation.

Fig. 44. Begonia semiovata Liebm. A. Habitat. B. Habit. C. Inflorescence, showing pistillate flower. D. Inflorescence, showing staminate flower. All photographs taken by P.W. Moonlight from P.W. Moonlight & A. Daza 172 (A–C) in San Martín Province, San Martín Region and 127 (D) in Bagua Province, Amazon Region.