Begonia zhongyangiana W.G.Wang & S.Z.Zhang (2019: 52)

Krishna, Nikhil, Pradeep, Ayilliath Kuttiyeri, Amrutha, Athalappil & Jayakrishnan, Thachat, 2021, A new species and a new record of Begonia (sect. Platycentrum, Begoniaceae) from northeastern India, Phytotaxa 482 (3), pp. 261-267 : 266

Begonia zhongyangiana W.G.Wang & S.Z.Zhang (2019: 52) ( Fig. 3 )

Type:— CHINA. Xizang (Tibet), Motuo county, Beibeng Xiang , on rocks or slope near the river, 29°13’54.56’’ N, 95°08’58’’ E, 650 m alt., 31 August 2016, W. G. Wang & P. Chen, XZ2016-129 (Holotype, SZG n.v.)

Distribution:— Wang et al. (2019) while describing B. zhongyangiana observed five populations, “on rocks or slops in broad-leaved evergreen mountain forest” at Beibeng Xiang in Xizang province (Tibet), China. The novel collection recorded here is from a small population from Yingkiong in Upper Siang District of Arunachal Pradesh in India ( Fig. 4A ).

Notes: Begonia zhongyangiana is very distinct from other members of Begonia sect. Platycentrum in its showy orange-yellow male and female flowers. This species is found to occur at an elevation between 695 to 1600 m in China, whereas the Indian specimens were locatedat an elevation of 437 m.

Specimen examined: INDIA. Arunachal Pradesh, Upper Siang, Yingkiong, Near Ramsing village 28°39.768’ N, 094°59.171’E, 437 m alt., 21 August 2018, Nikhil Krishna 159685 (CALI!)

Figures

FIGURE 3. Begonia zhongyangiana W.G.Wang & S.Z.Zhang. A. Habit & habitat; B. Cultivated individual; C. Male flowers; D. Female bud.

FIGURE 4. Distribution map: A. Begonia zhongyangiana W.G.Wang & S.Z.Zhangin China & India; B. Begonia murlenensis.