Begoniaparvibracteata, a new species in Begonia sect. Platycentrum (Begoniaceae) from Guangxi of China, based on morphological and molecular evidence.

ABSTRACT

The previously reported begonias in a limestone forest of Guangxi mainly belong to Begoniasect.Coelocentrum Irmscher. In this article, we described and illustrated a new species in sect. Platycentrum (Klotzsch) A.DC., Begoniaparvibracteata X.X.Feng, R.K.Li & Z.X.Liu, which was discovered in a karst forest of south-western Guangxi. The begonia shows high morphological similarity to B.subhowii S.H. Huang and B.psilophylla Irmscher, but differs from the latter two in its narrower oblique-ovate asymmetric leaf blade, 4 (occasionally 6) tepals of pistillate flower and smaller membranous inflorescence bracts. Molecular phylogenetic analysis, based on ITS sequence data, supports the new species as monophyletic and distinct from B.subhowii and B.psilophylla. Considering its narrow distribution and the disturbance of human activities, the conservation status of new taxon is evaluated as "Vulnerable" (VU B1, B2 ab (i, iv, v), D2) according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.