Begonia buddleiifolia 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 : 249-252

63. Begonia buddleiifolia A.DC.

Figs 4B , 7A , 78B , 80

Annales des Sciences Naturelles Botanique, Série 4 11: 141 ( de Candolle 1859) [as ‘ buddleaefolia ’].

– Type: PERU – San Martín Region: Prov. Tarapoto • Tarapoto , in humidis montius; [6°26′ S, 76°20′ W]; Dec. 1855; R.E. Spruce 3998; lectotype: G-DC [ F neg.7331], designated by Moonlight & Jara-Muñoz (2017: 5); isolectotypes: K [2: K000006046 , K000006047 ], TCD [ TCD0005567 ].

de Candolle (1864: 380); Smith & Schubert (1941a: 186, 1946b: 100, 1952: 37); Smith (1973: 216); Smith & Wasshausen (1979: 238, 1986: 11, 1989: 33); Brako & Zarucchi (1993: 191); Vásquez et al. (2005: 112–125).

Pilderia urticifolia Klotzsch, Gattungen und Arten 1854: 186 ( Klotzsch 1855) [as ‘ urticaefolia ’]. – Begonia urticifolia (Klotzsch) Warb. in Engler & Prantl. (nom. illeg.; later homonym non Sm.), Naturlichen Pflanzenfamilien 3 (6A): 144 ( Warburg 1894). – Begonia pilderia A.DC., Prodromus Systematis Naturalis Regni Vegetabilis 15 (1): 380 ( de Candolle 1864).

– Type: COUNTRY UNKNOWN • hort. Berol. s.n.; lectotype: B [ B100365220 ], designated by Moonlight & Jara-Muñoz (2017: 5).

Walpers (1858: 901); Smith & Schubert (1946b: 100).

Begonia lantanifolia A.DC., Annales des Sciences Naturelles Botanique, Série 4 11: 141 ( de Candolle 1859) [as ‘ lantanaefolia ’].

– Type: COLOMBIA – [Dept. Norte de Santander]: Prov. De Ocaña • San Pedro ; [8°09′ S, 73°24′ W]; 2135–2440; May 1856 –1852; L. Schlim 578; lectotype: G-DC [ F neg. 7332], designated by Moonlight & Jara-Muñoz (2017: 6); isolectotypes: BM [ BM001191437 ], BR [ BR0000006956592 ], K [ K000536735 ], P [ P05586842 ].

Smith & Schubert (1946b: 100); Moonlight & Jara-Muñoz (2017: 6).

Begonia urticifolia hort. ex Klotzsch (nom. inval.; nom. rej. pro syn. Pilderia urticifolia Klotzsch (nom. inval.; nom. nud.)), Bericht über die zur Bekanntmachung geeigneten Verhandlungen der Königl. Preuss. Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin 1854: 127 ( Klotzsch 1854) [as ‘ urticaefolia ’].

Pilderia urticifolia Klotzsch (nom. inval.; nom. nud.), Bericht über die zur Bekanntmachung geeigneten Verhandlungen der Königl. Preuss. Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin 1854: 127 ( Klotzsch 1854) [as ‘ urticaefolia ’].

Etymology

Named for the superficial resemblance of the species’ leaves to those of species of buddleja (Buddleja L., Scrophulariacae).

Selected specimens examined

PERU – Loreto Region: Prov. Alto Amazonas • Dist. Balsapuerto, Campamento Mina de Sal ; 5°53′22″ S, 76°36′15.7″ W; 267 m a.s.l.; 15 Sep. 2013; M. Ríos, T. Mori, D. Neill, L. Torres & C. Vriesendorp 2963; F [ V0323706F ]. – Prov. Ucayali • Dist. Pampa Hermosa, Parque Nacional Cordillera Azul , PV 106 Boca Pauya, río Aguablanca y río Cushabatay ; 7°03′46.2″ S, 75°51′46.2″ W; 399 m a.s.l.; 28 May 2018; L. Valenzuela, J. Flores, G. Shareva, R. Vilacorta & R. Macedo 35295; USM. – Amazonas Region: Prov. Condorcanqui • Cordillera del Cóndor ; Jul. 1994; H. Beltrán & R.B. Foster 801; US [ US00619625 ] • Dist. El Cenepa, río Chinganatza (quebrada de los bambúes) , Campamento 2 ; 3°47′18.5″ S, 78°20′35.9″ W; 685 m a.s.l.; 12 Nov. 2003; S. Baldeón M., M. Epiquien & F. Chinta T. 5729; USM • Cordillera del Cóndor , Puesto de Vigilancia Alfonso Ugarte (PV 3) , Cabeceras del río Comainas , tributario al oeste del río Cenepa; 3°55.3′ S, 78°25.2′ W; 1050–1150 m a.s.l.; 5 Aug. 1994; H. Beltrán & R.B. Foster 1612; USM. – Prov. Bagua • Dist. Imaza, Comunidad Aguaruna de Kusú-Listra , Cerro Apag , margen derecha Quebrada Kusú ; [4°45′ S, 78°20′ W]; 600 m a.s.l.; 19 Jun. 1996; C. Diaz, A. Pena, R. Tiwi & D. Shuwin 8277; MO [ MO-286130 ], MOL, US [ US00672836 ], USM. – Huánuco: Prov. Marañón • Dist. Cholón, Caserío Puerto Alegre , bajando de casa de señor Arturo hacia Caserío San Antonio de Padua; 8°36′12.29″ S, 76°32′31.45″ W; 1000 m a.s.l.; 15 Jul. 2021; P. González & P. Arista 8745; USM. – San Martín Region: Prov. Rioja • Dist. Pardo Miguel, Bosque de Protección Alto Mayo , on the way from El Afluente Pte to Nuevo Edén; 5°37′49.19–38″ S, 77°41′24.51–29.12″ W; 1350 m a.s.l.; 18 Jul. 2014; Y.F. Deng et al. 1468; USM • Dist. Pardo Miguel, Centro Poblado Aguas Verdes Camp-I ; 5°39′ S, 77°38′ W; 1130 m a.s.l.; 24 Jun. 1998; I. Sánchez Vega, M. Dillon & M. Zapata 9470; CPUN, F [ V0086764F ], US [ US00673142 ]. – Prov. San Martín • 25 km N of Tarapoto ; [6°23′ S, 76°17′ W]; 550 m a.s.l.; 9 May 1979; D.C. Wasshausen & F. Encarnación 1033; K, MO [ MO-1643588 ], NY, US [ US00222037 ], USM • Dist. Tarapoto, Carretera de Tarapoto a Yurimaguas, km 10 ; [6°27′ S, 76°17′ W]; 750–1000 m a.s.l.; 5 Dec. 1979; M. Rimachi Y. 4805; US [ US00424989 ] • Trail to waterfall in Cordillera Escallera , La Bocotoma de Shilcayo ; 6°27′29″ S, 72°20′56″ W; 448 m a.s.l.; 3 Feb. 2016; P.W. Moonlight & A. Daza 165; E [ E00885874 ], G, MO, MOL. – Ucayali Region: Prov. Coronel Portillo • Dist. Iparía, cuenca del río Iparía , afluente del río Ucayali , Reserve Comunal El Sira ; 9°25′57″ S, 74°32′47″ W; 350–400 m a.s.l.; 28 Sep. 2007; J.G. Graham 4812; MOL, US [ US01008605 ] . – Pasco Region: Prov. Oxapampa • Parque Nacional Yanachaga-Chemillén , Sector Paujil , “Mal Paso” on trail from Paujil Research Centre to Pampa Pescado ; 10°20′22″ S, 75°15′21″ W; 377 m a.s.l.; 25 Feb. 2016; P.W. Moonlight & A. Daza 316; E [ E00885873 ], MO [ MO-3254783 ], MOL • Along road Chatarra-Pto. Bermúdez ; 10°32′ S, 75°04′ W; 700 m a.s.l.; 12 Jul. 2003; H. van der Werff, R. Vásquez, B. Grey, R. Ortiz & N. Davila 18405; F, HOXA, MO [ MO-1102982 ], US [ US00843954 ] • Pichis trail between San Nicolas and Azupizú ; [10°41′ S, 74°55′ W]; 650–900 m a.s.l.; 6 Jul. 1919; E.P. Killip & A.C. Smith 26101; NY, US [ US00222039 ]. – Cultivated • Grown in the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh from P.W. Moonlight & A. Daza 165 RBGE Living Accession 20160126; 22 Mar. 2021; P.W. Moonlight 1951; E.

Description

Caulescent herb, to 50 cm high. Stem prostrate to erect, branching; internodes to 8 cm long, to 0.5 mm thick, succulence, green to light brown, sparsely to densely lanate. Stipules persistent, ovate, 6–12 × 1.5– 4 mm, apex acute, opaque, light green to light brown, glabrous but with a line of villous hairs down the midrib, margin entire, ciliate. Leaves> 5, alternate, basifixed; petiole 0.5–1 cm long, light green to red or light brown, sparsely to densely lanate; blade asymmetrical, lanceolate, to 12 × 5 cm, membranaceous, apex acuminate, cuneate to shallowly-cordate, margin serrulate or denticulate to double-dentate, ciliate, upper surface bullate, pale green to red, densely glandular pilose between the tertiary veins, the veins sparsely to densely villous or lanate, lower surface pale green, glabrous, veins pinnate, with 8–12 secondary veins on the larger side, ca 8 secondary veins on the smaller side. Inflorescences 1–3, bisexual, terminal, erect, thyrsoid, with ca 15 lateral branches, bearing up to 5 staminate flowers and 10 pistillate flowers, protandrous; peduncle to 4 cm long, white, glabrous, bracts persistent, ovate, 2–5 × 0.5–2 mm, translucent, white, glabrous, apex acute, margin entire, aciliate. Staminate flowers: pedicels to 8 mm long, glabrous; tepals 2 or 4, spreading, outer 2 ovate, 4–6 × 3–4 mm, apex rounded, white, glabrous, margin entire, aciliate, inner 2 lanceolate to ovate, 1–2 × 0.5–2 mm, apex acute, white, glabrous, margin entire, aciliate; stamens ca 40, projecting, yellow, filaments 0.5–1 mm long, fused into a 1–2 mm long column, anthers oblong, ca 0.4 × ca 0.6 mm, dehiscing via lateral slits, connectives extending to 0.2 mm, symmetrically basifixed. Pistillate flowers: pedicels to 12 mm long; bracteoles 2, directly beneath the ovary, ovate, 5–6 × 3–4 mm, apex rounded, translucent, white, glabrous, margin serrulate, ciliate; tepals 5, subequal, persistent in fruit, projecting, the largest oblanceolate, 6 × 3 mm, apex rounded, white, glabrous, margin entire, aciliate, the smallest elliptic, 3 × 1 mm, apex rounded, white, glabrous, margins entire, aciliate; ovary body globose, 4–5 × 3.5–4 mm, white to pale green, pilose, unequally 3-winged, wings triangular, largest 5–9 × 5–10 mm, smallest 4–5 × 1–3 mm; 3-locular, placentae branches entire, bearing ovules on both surfaces; styles 3, yellow, free, 1.5–2 mm long, 2-lobed, stigmatic papillae in a spirally-twisted band. Fruiting pedicel to 12 mm long. Fruit body ovate, to 8 × 5 mm, drying brown, wings same shape as in ovary, expanding to 13 mm tall.

Proposed conservation assessment

Assessed by Moonlight & Jara-Muñoz (2017) as Least Concern (LC).

Identification notes

Begonia buddleiifolia is a very distinctive species and is unique in Peru in both its bullate leaf lamina and in its asymmetrical, terminal inflorescence.

Distribution and ecology

Known from Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Within Peru, known from Loreto, Amazonas, San Martín, Huánuco, Ucayali, and Pasco Regions ( Fig. 78B ) and found within Amazonian and lower montane forest at an elevation of 250–1350 m a.s.l. Begonia buddleiifolia is scarce in Peru where it is typically collected on rock or soil banks adjacent to streams and rivers. We suspect that it may have a broader distribution within Peru than detailed here.

Figures

Fig. 4. Staminate tepal number in Peruvian Begonia. A. A single, equal pair of tepals, B. bracteosa A.DC. B. An outer pair of tepals held perpendicular to a smaller, inner pair of tepals, B. buddleiifolia A.DC. C. Ten tepals in a member of the octopetala group of B. sect. Eupetalum (Lindl.) A.DC., B. pleiopetala A.DC. Photographs taken by D.A. Purvis in the living collections of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

Fig. 7. Placentation in Peruvian Begonia. A–D. Axillary placentation with undivided branches. E–H. Axillary placentation with divided branches. A. B. buddleiifolia A.DC. B. B. foliosa Kunth. C. B. glabra Aubl. D. B. joshii Moonlight. E. B. albomaculata C.DC. F. B. rossmanniae A.DC. G. B. bracteosa A.DC. H. B. pleiopetala A.DC. Photographs taken by D.A. Purvis & P.W. Moonlight in the living collections of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

Fig. 78. Distribution ofBegonia sect.Microtuberosa Moonlight & Tebbitt andB. sect. Pilderia (Klotzsch) A.DC. in Peru and surrounding countries. A. B. elachista Moonlight & Tebbitt (red). B. B. buddleiifolia A.DC. (red). Black lines indicate country borders, grey lines indicate major administrative divisions, blue lines indicate rivers, and shading indicates elevation.

Fig. 80. Begonia buddleiifolia A.DC. A. Habit. B. Leaf, abaxial surface. C. Stipule. D. Pistillate flower, side view. E. Bracteole. F. Pistillate flower, front view. G. Cross section of ovary. H. Pistils, side view. I. Staminate flower, side view. J. Staminate flower, front view. K. Androecium, side view. All photographs taken by P.W. Purvis in the living collections of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (Accession 20160126, grown from seeds collected as part of P.W. Moonlight & A. Daza 165).