Scientists Identify Begonia chunxiuensis, a Striking New Species from Southwestern China
- Ritambhara K
- 7 hours ago
- 2 min read
Credit: LI Renkun
The mega-genus Begonia (Begoniaceae) is one of the botanical world’s true marvels—an enormous, diverse group of plants spread across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. With more than 2,100 known species, it ranks among the largest genera of flowering plants.
In China alone, scientific exploration over recent years has expanded the national tally to 304 species, including subspecies, varieties, and natural hybrids. This remarkable diversity continues to grow as researchers uncover previously unknown members of the genus.
A recent study published in the Nordic Journal of Botany by scientists from the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences announces the discovery of a new species: Begonia chunxiuensis, found in the lush landscapes of southwestern Guangxi.
The story of this discovery began during field surveys conducted in 2020 and 2024, when researchers encountered an unfamiliar Begonia population near Chunxiu Reservoir in Longzhou County. Its distinct appearance raised immediate curiosity.
To confirm its identity, the team carried out a meticulous investigation—comparing the collected specimens with morphologically similar species, analyzing herbarium samples, and reviewing botanical literature. These comprehensive efforts confirmed that the plant represented a new taxonomic species.
Begonia chunxiuensis is a perennial herb notable for its striking aesthetic features. Its leaves shine in shades of green to deep viridian on the upper surface, adorned with soft, pinkish-white hairs that give them a delicate texture.
Beneath, the leaves transition to a lighter green etched with vivid red veins and covered in fine red or pink-white hairs. The plant produces graceful white flowers, adding to its ornamental charm.
Though it bears similarities to Begonia sinovietnamica and Begonia aurora, the new species can be distinguished by several key traits, including its narrowly triangular stipules, smaller male flowers, and anthers with a convex apex. It grows sporadically around Chunxiu Reservoir, thriving in shaded forests and along paddy fields at 150–300 meters above sea level.
At present, Begonia chunxiuensis is known from only two small subpopulations, indicating a very limited distribution. “Due to this restricted and insufficiently understood range, the species has been provisionally classified as ‘Data Deficient’ (DD) under the IUCN Red List criteria,” explained Xi Houcheng of XTBG.
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