Begonia wuzhishanensis (sect. Diploclinium, Begoniaceae), a new species from Hainan Island, China

Background: Hainan is the largest island of the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot and has the best preserved and most extensive tropical forests in China. A recent study on distribution of endangered species in China identifies southern Hainan as one of eight hotspots for plant conservation in the country. In continuation of our studies of Asian Begonia, we report the discovery of an attractive undescribed species, B. wuzhishanensis C.-I Peng, X.H. Jin & S.M.Ku, from Hainan Island. Results: Living plant of the new species, Begonia wuzhishanensis, was collected in 2009 and cultivated in the experimental greenhouse for morphological and cytological studies. It flowered consecutively in 2012 and 2013 in the experimental greenhouse, Academia Sinica. It was assigned to the large, heterogeneous sect. Diploclinium. The chromosome number of this new species was determined to be 2n = 26. Conclusions: A careful study of literature, herbarium specimens and living plants, both in the wild and in cultivation, support the recognition of the new species Begonia wuzhishanensis, which is described in this paper. Begonia wuzhishanensis is currently known only from Fanyang, Wuzhishan Mountain in the center of the island. A line drawing, color plate, and a distribution map are provided to aid in identification

Emilia praetermissa Milne-Redh. (Asteraceae)－A Misidentified Alien Species in Northern Taiwan

Emilia praetermissa (Asteraceae), first collected in 1997 in Keelung, has become naturalized in Taiwan and is now a frequent sight in northern part of the island. This species has often been misidentified as Emilia fosbergii, another alien Emilia species commonly seen in central and southern Taiwan. Detailed description, report of chromosome number (2n = 20) and karyotype with a review of relevant cytological literature and a distribution map are provided. Line-drawings as well as color photographs of E. praetermissa and its congeners occurring in Taiwan are presented to aid in identification

Spatholirion Ridley 1896

Key to <i>Spatholirion</i> species in Vietnam <p>1a. Stem suberect, climbing or scandent, up to 300 cm; inflorescence axillary......................................................................................2</p> <p> 1b. Stem erect, up to 10 cm; inflorescence terminal................................................................................................... <i>S. cucphuongense</i></p> <p> 2a. Suberect or ascending herbs...................................................................................................................................... <i>S. puluongense</i></p> <p>2b. Climbing or scandent herbs................................................................................................................................................................3</p> <p> 3a. Leaf blade lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate; ovary glabrous......................................................................................... <i>S. longifolium</i></p> <p> 3b. Leaf blade broadly oblong or broadly lanceolate; ovary densely hirsute........................................................................... <i>S. elegans</i></p>Published as part of <i>Lin, Che-Wei, Peng, Ching-I, Nguyen, Hieu Quang, Nguyen, Tien Hiep & Kono, Yoshiko, 2023, Spatholirion cucphuongense (Commelinaceae), a new species from Cuc Phuong National Park in North Vietnam, pp. 54-62 in Phytotaxa 606 (1)</i> on page 60, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.606.1.5, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/8202341">http://zenodo.org/record/8202341</a&gt

Three new species of Begonia sect. Baryandra from Panay Island, Philippines

Abstract Background The flora of Panay Island is under-collected compared with the other islands of the Philippines. In a joint expedition to the island, botanists from Taiwan and the Philippines found three unknown Begonia species and compared them with potentially allied species. Results The three species are clearly assignable to Begonia sect. Baryandra which is largely endemic to the Philippines. Studies of literature, herbarium specimens, and living plants support the recognition of the three new species: Begonia culasiensis, B. merrilliana, and B. sykakiengii. Somatic chromosomes at metaphase were determined to be 2n = 30 for B. culasiensis and 2n = 28 for both B. merrilliana and B. sykakiengii, congruent with those of most species in sect. Baryandra. Molecular phylogenetic evidence is consistent with B. culasiensis being a relict from the late Miocene and B. merrilliana and B. sykakiengii being younger species of Pleistocene origin. Conclusion The continuing discovery of endemic Philippine species means the remaining fragments of both primary and secondary native vegetation in the archipelago are of increasing value in terms of natural capital. A secure future for the species could be realized through ex situ conservation collections and raising awareness with community groups