Begonia jaguarensis L. Kollmann,
R. S. Lopes & Peixoto (Begoniaceae),
a new species from North of Espírito
Santo State, Brazil
Ludovic Jean Charles Kollmann, Robson da Silva Lopes & Ariane Luna Peixoto
Abstract
KOLLMANN, L. J.-C., R. DA SILVA LOPES & A. LUNA PEIXOTO (2015) Begonia jaguarensis L. Kollmann, R. S. Lopes & Peixoto (Begoniaceae),
a new species from North of Espírito Santo State, Brazil. Candollea 70: 43-48. In English, English abstract. DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.15553/c2015v701a4
Begonia jaguarensis L. Kollmann, R. S. Lopes & Peixoto (Begoniaceae), a new species from North of Espírito Santo state,
Brazil, is described and illustrated. This new species is related to Begonia thelmae L. B. Sm. & Wassh. with which it is
compared. Diagnosis, description, conservation status, pictures, map and comments about geographic distribution are
also provided.
Keywords
BEGONIACEAE – Begonia − Espírito Santo − Atlantic Forest − Taxonomy
Addresses of the authors :
LJCK : Associate searcher of Museu de Biologia Prof. Mello Leitão (MBML), Av. José Ruschi, 4, 29650-000 Santa Teresa, ES, Brazil.
E-mail : ludokoll@yahoo.com.br
RSL : Superintendência Estadual Regional de Educação, rua 31 de Março 88, Centro, São Mateus, ES, Cep: 29939-000, Brazil.
ALP : Associate searcher of Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden, rua Pacheco Leão 915, Horto, 22460-038, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
Submitted on January 20, 2015. Accepted on February 24, 2015.
ISSN: 0373-2967 – Online ISSN: 2235-3658 – Candollea 70(1): 43-48 (2015)
Edited by P. Bungener
© CONSERVATOIRE ET JARDIN BOTANIQUES DE GENÈVE 2015
44 – A new Begonia (Begoniaceae) from Brazil
Fig. 1. – Begonia jaguarensis L. Kollmann, R. S. Lopes & Peixoto. A. Habit; B. Stipule; C. Leaf apex; D. Inflorescence; E. Bracts;
F. Staminate flower; G. Staminate flower; H. Stamens; I. Prophyll; J. Pistillate flower; K. Styles; L. Seed.
[Kollmann & Lopes 11441, MBML] [Drawn by Maria Alice Rezende]
Candollea 70, 2015
Candollea 70, 2015
Introduction
About 230 species of Begonia L. (Begoniaceae) are recorded from
Brazil (Smith et al., 1986; Doorenbos et al., 1998; Golding
& Wasshausen, 2002), most being found in the Atlantic Forest
(Duarte, 1961). Recent studies demonstrated the occurrence
of 208 species ( Jacques, 2014), with approximately 180 species
in the Atlantic Forest, and about 177 restricted to this domain
( Jacques, 2009). Field work in north Espírito Santo state,
Brazil, provided new species of different plant family (Kollmann, 2008 ; Leme et al., 2008 ; Leme & Kollmann, 2009 ;
Leme et al., 2010 ; Versieux & Wanderley, 2010), showing
how this area is rich in endemics species.
While undertaking fieldwork in northern Espírito Santo,
in the Central Corridor of the Atlantic Forest Domain, we
collected a species of Begonia that we describe here as new.
Begonia jaguarensis L. Kollmann, R. S. Lopes & Peixoto, spec.
nova (Fig. 1).
Typus : BRAZIL. Espírito Santo : Jaguaré county, Giral,
80 m, 18°49’33.9’’S 40°03’32.8’’W, 17.I.2009, fl. fr., L.
Kollmann & R. S. Lopes 11441 (holo- : MBML ! ; iso- :
CEPEC !, MBM !, P !, RB !, SP !, U !, US !, VIES !).
Begonia jaguarensis is very similar to B. thelmae L. B. Sm. &
Wassh., but can be distinguished by longer internodes, ovate to
elliptic leaves, smaller stipules with a base deeply and laterally
cordate as well as overlapping lobes appearing peltate, smaller
sepals and petals in the staminate flower.
Herb terrestrial or epiphytic, sub-erect to repent, 2-16 cm tall,
with glands and simple trichomes. Stems 3-5 mm diam., green to
brownish, glabrescent, without lenticels, internodes (1-)2.2-4 cm
long. Stipules 6-9 × 3-4 mm, greenish, persistent, glabrous on
both faces, ovate, apex acute, base asymmetric, oblique, margins
fimbriate to ciliate. Petioles 0.6-2 cm, whitish, pilose, trichomes
red ; lamina (2.6-)4-7.5 × (0.9-)1.5-2.7 cm, adaxial face glossy,
green to green with pale veins, abaxial face green to red, when
red margins green, simple, asymmetrical, ovate to elliptical,
glabrous to hispid, apex acute, base cordate, margins serrate to
serrulate, ciliate, venation actinodromous, the mid-nerve following the petiole axis, veins 6-7 at base, adaxial face with hispid
central vein, abaxial face lightly hispid on vein, stomata clustered.
Inflorescences 3-6 cm long, axillary, monochasial, rarely dichasial,
glandular to pilose, monochasial inflorescences 1-few-flowered,
(3-)5 staminate flowers, 1 pistillate flower, dichasial inflorescences 2-few-flowered, 7-11 staminate flowers, 2 pistillate
flowers, peduncles 2-2.5 cm long, white, bracts 0.5-1.4 × 0.25-0.8
mm, green-whitish, apex reddish, translucent, persistent, ovate to
lanceolate, apex acute to acuminate, flower scars prominent in
dry material. Staminate flowers : pedicels 6-12 mm long, white,
glandular to pilose, sepals 2, 4.5-6 × 3-4.5 mm, white, ovate, apex
obtuse, petals 2, 4-6 × 2.1-2.3 mm, white, elliptic to obovate, apex
obtuse, lightly concave; stamens 6-8, yellow, on a short column,
A new Begonia (Begoniaceae) from Brazil – 45
filaments ca. 0.5 mm long, anthers ca 2.9 × 0.8 mm, oblong,
rimose, extrorse, the connective projecting beyond the anthers,
apex obtuse. Pistillate flowers : pedicels 2.5-4 mm long, white,
glandular; prophylls 2, 0.8-1.5 × 0.3-0.7 mm, green, translucent,
ovate to oblong, apex acute, red ; sepals 2, 4-4.8 × 2-2.1 mm,
white, elliptical, apex acute, petals 3(-4), 3.8-5.2 × 1.2-2.7 mm,
white, ovate, apex obtuse to acute; styles 3, ca. 2 mm long, yellow,
bifid, united at base, stigma lightly spirally twisted, covered by
stigmatic papilla; ovary 3-locular, placentation axile, one placenta
per locule, ovules on both sides of placentae. Capsules 0.7-1 ×
0.5-0.6 mm, white, glabrous, basally dehiscent; wings 3, 0.8-1.5
× 0.2-0.55 cm, glandular, sub-equal, rounded to angular, stigma
persistent in dry fruit. Seeds 0.27- 0.3 × 0.15-0.2 mm, cylindrical,
oblong.
Taxonomy. – Smith & Wasshausen (1981) placed B. thelmae
in Begonia sect. Begonia because one of the three placentae is bifid.
Doorenbos et al. (1998) did not include it in any section, indicating that it could belong to a new section. Begonia jaguarensis
and B. thelmae appear more closely related to sect. Pritzelia
(Klotzsch) A. DC. due to the presence of a single placenta per
locule with ovules on both sides of the placenta and extended
anther connectives, but the two specie appear related also to sect.
Doratometra (Klotzsch) A. DC. by the small inflorescence, dichasial to monochasial, few-flowered, with persistent bracts, stamens
on a short column, and pistillate flower with prophylls.
Relationships. – Begonia jaguarensis resembles B. thelmae
from northern Espírito Santo, in its creeping habit, fimbriate
and persistent stipules, axillary inflorescences that are erect,
monochasial, exceptionally dichasial, and few-flowered, and
male flowers with few stamens. It can be distinguished from
B. thelmae by its longer internodes 2.2-4 (vs. 1-2) cm, ovate to
elliptic leaves (vs. elliptic to obovate), apex acute (vs. obtuse),
smaller stipules (0.65-0.8 vs. 1-1.5 cm long), a stipule base
deeply and laterally cordate with overlapping lobes appearing
peltate (vs. asymmetric base, not cordate and not appearing peltate), staminate flower with smaller sepals and petals
(4-6 vs. 7-9 mm long), and 2 prophylls (vs. 1) (Table 1).
Table 1. – Morphological comparison of Begonia jaguarensis L. Kollmann,
R. S. Lopes & Peixoto and B. thelmae L. B. Sm. & Wassh.
B. jaguarensis
Habit
erect to repent
B. thelmae
repent
Internodes size [cm] 2.2-4
1-2
Lamina form
ovate to elliptic
elliptic to obovate
Lamina apex
acute
obtuse
Stipules size [cm]
0.65-0.8
1-1.5
Stipules base
asymmetric, not
cordate and not
appearing peltate
deeply and laterally
cordate with overlapping
lobes appearing peltate
Tepals of staminate
flower [mm]
4-6
7-9
46 – A new Begonia (Begoniaceae) from Brazil
Candollea 70, 2015
Fig. 2. – Begonia jaguarensis L. Kollmann, R. S. Lopes & Peixoto. A. Habitat; B, C. Habit (Kollmann 11441); D. Habit (Kollmann
11418); E. Habit with staminate and pistillate flowers; F. Pistil; G. Habit with staminate and pistillate flowers; H. Stamens;
I. Monochasial inflorescence with open staminate flower; J. Dichasial inflorescence; K. Pistillate flowers.
[Photo: L. J.-C. Kollmann]
Candollea 70, 2015
A new Begonia (Begoniaceae) from Brazil – 47
Observations. – The original description of Begonia thelmae
by Smith & Wasshausen (1981) stated that the ovary had
two simple placentae and one bifurcate placenta with ovules on
both side. Tebbitt (2005), however, wrote that the three placentae are entire. Studies of live plant from the “Conservatoire
du Begonia, Rochefort, France”, and from the United States of
America, showed three entire placentae (L. Kollmann, unpubl.
data). It is possible that a variation of placentation occurs in
some cultivated plant of the USA, a phenomenon that is not
rare in Begonia. The authors of B. thelmae wrote “deciduous
bracts on swollen persistent bases”, but when studying the plant,
we observed persistent bracts and what appeared as swollen
persistent bases were the bases of staminate flowers and not
of bracts, as reported in the description. Begonia thelmae was
introduced into the USA in 1974 by Gil Daniels from the
collection of Burle Marx, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and published
as a new species by Smith & Wasshausen (1981) (holotype
US-2639955).
In the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden Herbarium (RB) a
voucher of B. thelmae exists, collected by A. P. Duarte (in 1979)
at the locality Serra de Cima, Nova Venécia county, north of
Espírito Santo State, Brazil.
Etymology. – The specific epithet alludes to the Jaguaré
county, where the holotype of the new species was first found.
Distribution and ecology. – Begonia jaguarensis was found
growing in leaf litter in “muçununga” forest of “tabuleiro”
(tableland), in northern Espírito Santo state, between 30-150 m
(Fig. 2, 3), within the Central Corridor of the Atlantic Forest
domain. Peixoto & Silva (1997) included the “tabuleiro”
forests of northern Espírito Santo as one of Brazil´s 14 centers
of plant diversity. The “muçununga” forest is characterized by
humid, sandy porous soils. The trees in the upper stratum vary
in height between 7-10 m (Simonelli et al., 2008), with herbaceous plants like Calathea sp. (Marantaceae), Dichorisandra
thyrsiflora J. C. Mikan (Commelinaceae), Anthurium sp. (Araceae),
Sinningia richii Clayberg (Gesneriaceae), Bromelia antiacantha
Bertol., and Cryptanthus beuckeri E. Morren (Bromeliaceae).
Begonia jaguarensis is a very distinctive species in its creeping
habit. Its forms “carpet” that can reach about 3 square meter ;
the stems are creeping, densely jointed, covering the entire floor,
and readily rooting on contact with the soil, in semi shaded
place (Kollmann 11441) (Fig. 2B, C). The paratype (Kollmann
11418) (Fig. 2D), was found growing in a sunlit, disturbed
habitat of a little waterfall, the plants being small with a few
bicolor leaves. The others paratypes were found growing in the
Sooretama Biological Reserve and Vale Natural Reserve, 20 to
30 kilometers from the holotype. Flowers have been collected
between January and June and fruits from January to August.
Fig. 3. – Distribution of Begonia jaguarensis L. Kollmann, R. S. Lopes &
Peixoto (square) in Espírito Santo state, Brazil.
Conservation status. – Given the distribution of B. jaguarensis, with an extent of occurrence estimated to be less than
100 km2 and continuing decline of area, extent and quality
of habitat and growing in two Conservation Units (Fig. 3),
it seems appropriate to include this species in the Critically
Endangered Category [CR B1+B2b(iii)] according to the
IUCN red list criteria (IUCN, 2001).
Paratypi. – BRAZIL. Espírito Santo: Jaguaré, Reserve Biológica de Sooretama, Lagoa do Macaco, 30 m, 15.V.1977, fl., fr., Martinelli et al. 2212 (RB !) ;
ibid. loc., Lagoa do Macaco, 30 m, 15.V.1977, fl., fr., Martinelli et al. 2139
(RB !) ; Giral, 16.I.2009, fl., fr., L. Kollmann & R. Lopes 11418 (MBML!) ;
Linhares, Reserva Natural Vale, estrada Aderne, 24.III.2004, fl., fr., D. A.
Folli 4780 (CVRD !, MBML !) ; ibid. loc., Estrada Gávea, 5.IV.2002, fl., fr.,
D. A. Folli 4227 (CVRD !, MBML !) ; ibid. loc., Estrada da Gávea, km 23.4,
30.III.2011, fl., fr., L. Kollmann et al. 12233 (MBML !, CVRD !) ; Sooretama,
Reserva Biologica de Sooretama, mata de tabuleiro do Macuco, 17.VII.1969,
fr., D. Sucre 5708 (RB !) ; ibid. loc., matas de Quirino, 60-100 m, 12.V.1985, fl.,
fr., G. Martinelli et al. 10968 (RB !, INPA !, NY !).
48 – A new Begonia (Begoniaceae) from Brazil
Acknowledgments
We acknowledge the staff of the Mello Leitão Biological Museum (MBML) and Federal University of Norte of
Espirito Santo State (UFES/CEUNES) for their cooperation, Maria Alice Rezende for the drawings, and CAPES for
financial support.
Candollea 70, 2015
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(2008). Three new Alcantarea species from Espírito Santo and
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