Begonia peruviana 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 : 271-276

68. Begonia peruviana A.DC.

Fig. 84B

Annales des Sciences Naturelles Botanique, Série 4 11: 133 ( de Candolle 1859).

– Type: PERU – Amazonas Region: Prov. Bongará • Yambrasbamba ; [5 ° 44′ S, 77°54′ W]; M. Matthews 1337; lectotype: K [ K000536743 ], designated here; isolectotype: OXF [ OXF00058708 ].

de Candolle (1864: 332); Smith & Schubert (1941a: 196); Irmscher (1949: 602); Brako & Zarucchi (1993: 194); Vásquez et al. (2005: 112–125); León & Monsalve (2006: 168); Wasshausen et al. (2014: 386).

Begonia juninensis Irmsch., Botanische Jahrbücher für Systematik, Pflanzengeschichte und Pflanzengeographie 74: 594 ( Irmscher 1949).

– Type: PERU – [Pasco Region: Prov. Oxapampa] • Pichis trail between San Nicolas and Azupizú; [10°41′ S, 74°55′ W]; 650–900 m a.s.l.; 6 Jul. 1929; E.P. Killip & A.C. Smith 26097; lectotype: US [ US00955822 ], designated here ; isolectotypes: F [ V0361994F ], NY [ NY01085832 ] • ibid.; 6 Jul. 1929; E.P. Killip & A.C. Smith 26108; syntype: F [n.v.]; isosyntypes: US [ US00967179 ], NY [ NY3231024 ]. Syn. nov.

Brako & Zarucchi (1993: 193); León & Monsalve (2006: 166).

Begonia rubiginosipes Irmsch., Botanische Jahrbücher für Systematik, Pflanzengeschichte und Pflanzengeographie 74:596( Irmscher 1949).

– Type: PERU – Junín Region: [Prov. Chanchamayo] • Pichis trail, Eneñas ; [10°45′ S, 75°13′ W]; 1600–1900 m a.s.l.; 30 Jun.–2 Jul. 1929; E.P. Killip & A.C. Smith 25632; lectotype: US [ US00955809 ], designated here; isolectotypes: F [ V0361996F ], NY [ NY01085482 ]. Syn. nov.

Brako & Zarucchi (1993: 195).

Begonia prionophylla Irmsch., Botanische Jahrbücher für Systematik, Pflanzengeschichte und Pflanzengeographie 74: 597 ( Irmscher 1949).

– Type: PERU – [Huánuco Region: Prov. Huánuco] • Gebirge östl. Von Huallagam , über Muña; [9°40′ S, 75°49′ W]; 2500–2600 m a.s.l.; 1 Jul. 1913; A. Weberbauer 6718; lectotype: B [ B100243071 ], designated here; isolectotypes: B [ B100243072 ], F [photo K, P], MOL-WEB [3: MOL00002994 , MOL00002995 , MOL00002996 ]. Syn. nov.

Brako & Zarucchi (1993: 194); León & Monsalve (2006: 168).

Begonia pilosella Irmsch., Botanische Jahrbücher für Systematik, Pflanzengeschichte und Pflanzengeographie 74: 598 ( Irmscher 1949).

– Type: PERU – Cusco Region • San Miguel, Urubamba valley ; [13°10′ S, 72°33′ W]; ca 1800 m a.s.l.; 7 June 1915; J. Cook & M.E. Gilbert 1109; lectotype: US [ US01070200 ], designated here • Near río Yanamayo , below “Pillahuata”; [13°08′ S, 71°35′ W]; 2000–2300 m a.s.l.; 4–5 May 1925; F.W. Pennell 14054; syntypes: US [ US00955816 ], F [ V0361995F ]; isosyntypes NY, PH [ PH0007793 ]. Syn. nov.

Brako & Zarucchi (1993: 194); León & Monsalve (2006: 168).

Begonia alnifolia auct. non A.DC.: Brako & Zarucchi, Monographs in Systematic Botany from the Missouri Botanical Garden 45: 191 ( Brako & Zarucchi 1993).

Etymology

Alphonse Pyramus de Candolle named this species for the country of Peru.

Selected specimens examined

PERU • M.Matthews s.n.; BM [ BM000832012 ], G-BOIS • M.Martínet 1579; P [ P05587362 ] • M.Dombey s.n.; P [ P05587361 ]. – Amazonas Region: Prov. Utcubamba • “Nuevo Mundo” trail from Huarango (Cajamarca Region) to Pisaguas (Amazonas Region) , ca 1 hr walk from crest at divide between regions; 5°15′36″ S, 78°39′54″ W; 1902 m a.s.l.; 28 Jan. 2016; P.W. Moonlight & A. Daza 125; E [ E00885464 ], MOL. – Prov. Bagua • Comunidad Nativa Yamyakat , 5°03′33″ S, 78°20′19″ W; 380 m a.s.l.; Mar. 2001; I. Salinas 739; MO [ MO-2229926 ] • Cordillera Colán ; [5°39′ S, 78°15′ W]; 1800 m a.s.l.; 17 Oct. 1978; P.J. Barbour 4148; MO [ MO-1835885 ]. – Prov. Bongará • Dist. Yambrasbamba, above Cpto. Buenos Aires , km (3)53.6 across río Chiriaco from Yambrasbamba, some 40 km N of Jumbilla; [5°41′ S, 77°54′ W]; 1850–2000 m a.s.l.; 2–26 Mar. 1967; S.S. Tillett 673-374; US [2: US00967188 , US00967189 ] • Road from Amazonas to Rioja ; 5°42′44″ S, 77°50′11″ W; 2157 m a.s.l.; 31 Jan. 2016; P.W. Moonlight & A. Daza 142; E [ E00885484 ], G, MOL • Dist. Yambrasbamba, 10 km NE of Pomacochas; 5°46′ S, 77°55′ W; 1950 m a.s.l.; 25 May 2015; M.C. Tebbitt & A. Daza 832; MOL. – Prov. Rodríguez de Mendoza • Dist. Vista Alegre, entre Vista Alegre y río Salas; 6°10′ S, 77°19′ W; 1470–1525 m a.s.l.; 30 Jun. 1998; I. Sánchez V., M. Dillon & N. Zapata 9562; CPUN, F [mixed collection], US [ US00673153 ] • Dist. Mariscal Benavides, Izcuchaca ; 6°19′40″ S, 77°31′05″ W; 1880 m a.s.l.; R. Vásquez & J. Campos 25289; MOL, NY, US [ US00672826 ], USM. – Prov. Chachapoyas • [5°44′ S, 77°54′ W]; M. Matthews 149; G [ F neg. 24199] • Between viewpoint and Gocta Falls on the trail from Gocta village ; 6°01′34″ S, 77°53′34″ W; 2210 m a.s.l.; P.W. Moonlight 1243; USM • Dist. Leymebamba, entre la Fila de la Culebra y El Tesoro (camino a Polamca); 6°42′13.98″ S, 77°37′25.92″ W; 2246–2337 m a.s.l.; 3 Sep. 2004; V. Quipuscoa S., M. Vílchez T., N. Campos A. & P. Zafra R. 3233; HUT. – Cajamarca Region: Prov. San Ignacio • San José de Lourdes, Camana ; 5°01′00″ S, 78°54′00″ W; 1750–1900 m a.s.l.; 4 Mar. 1997; J. Campos & S. Corales 3395; MO [2: MO-1641368 , MO-1641369 ], US [ US00672831 ] • Dist. Huarango, Nuevo Mundo, Caserío Gosén ; 5°10′ S, 78°32′ W; 1590 m a.s.l.; 18 Jul. 1997; E. Rodríguez R. 1706; HUT [2], MO [ MO-1641370 ], US [ US00672828 ], USM • La Coipa, vista Florida-La Laguna , 5°26′00″ S, 78°56′30″ W; 2000–2100 m a.s.l.; 11 Jun. 1997; J. Campos & Z. García 3967; F, NY, US [ US00672832 ], USM. – Prov. Cutervo • trail from Chorro Blanco to San Andres , Cutervo National Park ; 6°10′ S, 78°45′ W; 2210–2240 m a.s.l.; 15 Sep. 1991; A.H. Gentry, C. Díaz & R. Ortiz 74836; MO [ MO-098009 ], USM. – San Martín Region: Prov. Rioja • Pedro Ruíz-Moyobamba road , km 390, Venceremos; 5°50′ S, 77°45′ W; 1750 m a.s.l.; 29 Jul. 1983; D.N. Smith 4446; MO [ MO-1641362 ], US [ US00672827 ]. – Ucayali Region: Prov. Padre Abad • km 212, inmediacones de Sinchona cerca Divisoria ; [9°09′ S, 75°47′ W]; 12 Aug. 1943; C.A. Ridoutt 13113; MO [ MO-2264396 ], USM. – Prov. Coronel Portillo • Close to the Huánuco boundary , 42 km NE of Tingo María on route 15 from Pucallpa, cordillera Azul; [9°11′ S, 75°48′ W]; 1645 m a.s.l.; 25 Nov. 1975; C. Davidson 3683; MO [ MO-1643536 ]. – Huánuco Region: Prov. Leoncio Prado • Cerca a la Divisoria ; [9°10′ S, 75°47′ W]; 1500–1600 m a.s.l.; 25 Jun. 1976; J. Schunke V. 9390; MO [2: MO-2180491 , MO-2180426 ], NY, US [ US00967196 ] • Route from Tingo María to Divisoria ; 9°11′55″ S, 75°49′30″ W; 1750 m a.s.l.; 7 Feb. 2016; P.W. Moonlight & A. Daza 191; E [ E00885483 ], MO, MOL • Arroyo Bravo , about 40 km from Tingo María on highway to Pucallpa; [9°13′ S, 75°51′ W]; ca 1250 m a.s.l.; 1 Nov. 1949 – 5 Jan. 1950; H.A. Allard 20390; US [2: US00967177 , US00967178 ]. – Prov. Huánuco • Dist. Chinchao, San Pedro de Carpish , a dos horas de la Hacienda Paty; 9°41′59″ S, 76°05′42″ W; 2300 m a.s.l.; 17 Aug. 2002; I. Salinas & M. Chocce 484; USM • Several km W of Carpish ; [9°42′ S, 76°10′ W]; 2800 m a.s.l.; 8 Nov. 1938; H.E. Stork & O.B. Horton 9888; G, K • Sariapampa ; [9°55′ S, 76°07′ W]; 3600 m a.s.l.; 14 May 1946; F. Woytkowski 323; USM. – Pasco Region: Prov. Oxapampa • Dist. Huancabamba, camino a Pozuzo ; 10°04′02″ S, 75°32′59″ W; 1200–1480 m a.s.l.; 2 Jun. 2004; R. Rojas, M. Huamán, A. Peña & J. Mateo 2527; HOXA, MO [ MO-1663770 ], US [ US00900522 ] • Dist. Huancabamba, Límite Parque Nacional Yanachaga-Chemillén , Sector Grapanazu , 10°26′12″ S, 75°23′13″ W; 2210 m a.s.l.; 15 Oct. 2003; R. Rojas, K. Meza, J. Lingan, E. Camavilca & M. Villaran 1766; HOXA, MO [ MO-1102966 ] • Bosque de Protección San Matias-San Carlos, Sector Unión-Shimakii ; 10°45′04″ S, 74°55′47″ W; 1350–1420 m a.s.l.; 3 Jul. 2003; A. Monteagudo & G. Ortiz 5673; HOXA, K, MO [ MO-1102968 ], US [ US00843947 ]. – Junín Region: Prov. Chanchamayo • Pichis trail, Yapas [Yapaz];[10°51′ S, 75°16′W]; 1350–1600 m a.s.l.; 28–29 Jun. 1929; E.P. Killip & A.C. Smith 25579; NY, US [ US00967182 ] • ca 1 km along path to NW of Puyu Sacha field station; 11°05′34″ S, 75°26′17″ W; 2222 m a.s.l.; 23 Jun. 2014; P.W. Moonlight & A. Daza 39; E [ E00835506 ], MOL, USM • Tulumayo Valley, E slope, 5–10 km S of San Ramón, trail above La Esperanza to “Rincon” ; 11°12′ S, 75′15″ W; 1000–1500 m a.s.l.; 5 Sep. 1982; R.B. Foster 8521; F, MO [ MO-2180402 ], USM. – Prov. Tarma • Above La Merced at Cumbre Yacunay near summit ; ca 2000 m a.s.l.; 15 Aug. 1957; P.C. Hutchinson 1189; G, K, NY, US [ US00967191 ] • San Juan, cerca Huacapistana , margen izquierda río Tarma ; [11°14′ S, 75°31′ W]; 2100–2200 m a.s.l.; 22 Sep. 1955; R. Ferreyra 11280; USM. – Prov. Jauja • road from Monobamba to Jauja ; 11°23′35″ S, 75°19′32″ W; 1713 m a.s.l.; 17 Feb. 2016; P.W. Moonlight & A. Daza 264; E [ E00885482 ], G, MOL • Road from Monobamba to Uchumayo ; 11°29′14″ S, 75°16′24″ W; 2114 m a.s.l.; 13 Feb. 2016; P.W. Moonlight & A. Daza 280; E, MO, MOL. – Prov. Satipo • Route from Comas to Satipo , km 154; 11°30′24″ S, 74°49′16″ W; 2185 m a.s.l.; 13 Feb. 2016; P.W. Moonlight & A. Daza 235; E [ E00885478 ], G, MOL. – Madre de Dios Region: Prov. Manu • Cerro de Pantíacolla , río Palotoa 10–15 km NNW of Shintuya, transect of ridgetop; 12°35′ S, 71°18′ W; 700–1300 m a.s.l.; 14 Dec. 1985; R.B. Foster, R. Fernandez & E. Vivar 10833; US [ US00222169 ], USM. – Cusco Region: Prov. La Convención • Dist. Echarati, Llactahuamán , N del río Apurimac, NE de Pueblo Libre, S de la Cordillera de Vilcabamba; 12°51′55.5″ S, 73°30′40″ W; 1650 m a.s.l.; 14 Jul. 1998; S. Baldeón M., W. Nauray, R. de la Colina & S. Uduvardy 3064; US [ US00625238 ] • Dist. Huayopata, Amaybamba, quebrada Quinsapuncoyoc ; 12°59′ S, 72°30′ W; 1690 m a.s.l.; G. Calatayud, E. Suclli & R. Bonino 1714; MO [ MO-840951 ], US [ US00843951 ] • Dist. Santa Teresa, Yerbabuenayoc ; 13°04′ S, 72°22′ W; 2420 m a.s.l.; I. Huamantupa, N. Anaya, M. Callalli, J. Tito & L. Vargas 6622; MO [ MO-2153587 ], US [ US00932226 ]. – Prov. Paucartambo • San Pedro Paucartambo; [13°03′ S, 71°33′ W]; 1200 m a.s.l.; L.v.d. Hoogte & C. Roersch 3831; NY • km 64 of road from Paucartambo to Pilcopata , 13°05′41″ S, 71°33′47″ W; 1912 m a.s.l.; 4 Aug. 2014; P.W. Moonlight & A. Daza 82; E [ E00835917 ], MOL, USM. – Prov. Quishpicanchi • Dist. Camanti, Quincemil-Camanti , Tunquimayo River ; 13.1471° S, 80.8208° W; 705 m a.s.l.; 7 Feb. 2011; J.D. Wells, P. Centeno & M. Hammett 1248; USM. – Prov. Urubamba • río Urubamba ; 2050 m a.s.l.; [13°09′ S, 72°32′ W]; 7 Aug. 1952; N. Angulo 1784; HUT, US [ US00967195 ] • Southwest slopes of Huayna Picchu ; [13°10′ S, 72°33′ W]; 2700 m a.s.l.; 23 Jun. 1936; J. West 6440; MO [2: MO-1835944 , MO-2180417 ] • Camino a Huiñayhuayna ; [13°12′ S, 72°32′ W]; 2800 m a.s.l.; 7 May 1976; R. Chávez A. 3431; MO [ MO-2183165 ].

Description

Caulescent herb, to at least 3 m high. Stem erect to scandent, frequently branching; internodes to 11 cm long, to 4 mm thick, woody to succulent, green to red or brown, glabrous. Stipules early deciduous, lanceolate, 4–12 × 1–3 mm, apex acute, translucent, pale green to red, glabrous, margin entire, aciliate. Leaves> 10, alternate, basifixed; petiole 0.4–3 cm long, pale green to red, glabrous; blade subsymmetric, elliptical, to 13.5 × 6.5 cm, succulent, apex acuminate, base inequilateral, cuneate to rounded on the narrow side of the bade, rounded to truncate or cordate on the broad side of the blade, margin serrulate to double-serrate, ciliate, upper surface dull to rich green, often with red or purple spots on young leaves, glabrous, though young leaves often with a single hair at the centre of each colour spot, lower surface pale green to red or purple, glabrous, veins pinnate with 8–12 secondary veins on the larger side, 6–8 secondary veins on the smaller side. Inflorescences> 3, bisexual, axillary, erect, cymose, branching ca 8 times, bearing up to 128 staminate flowers and 56 pistillate flowers, protandrous; peduncle to 4 cm long, pale green to red, glabrous, bracts deciduous, elliptical, 2–4 × 0.5–1 mm, translucent, white to pink, glabrous, apex acute, margin entire to sometimes serrulate towards the apex, aciliate to ciliate at the apex. Staminate flowers: pedicels to 10 mm long, glabrous; tepals 2, spreading, circular, 2–5.5 × 2–6.5 mm, apex obtuse to rounded, base cordate to rounded, white to pink, glabrous, margin entire, aciliate; stamens 15–40, projecting, yellow, filaments 0.5–1 mm long, free, anthers elliptic, 0.5–0.8 × 0.2–0.3 mm long, dehiscing via lateral slits, connectives extending to 0.2 mm, symmetrically basifixed. Pistillate flowers: pedicels to 8 mm long; bracteoles 2, directly beneath the ovary, lanceolate to ovate, 1–3 × 1–3 mm, apex acute, translucent, pink, glabrous, margin entire to lacerate at the apex, aciliate tepals 2, equal, deciduous in fruit, spreading, ovate to broadly ovate, 2.5–5 × 2–3.5 mm, apex rounded, white, glabrous, margin entire, aciliate; ovary body ovoid, 3–4 × 3–4 mm, white, glabrous, unequally 3-winged, the largest wing triangular, 4–6 × 6– 1 mm, the smallest marginal, to 2 mm wide; 3-locular, placentae branches divided, bearing ovules on both surfaces; styles 3, yellow, free, 2–4 mm long, once-divided, stigmatic papillae in a once- to twice-spirally twisted band. Fruiting pedicel to 25 mm long. Fruit body ovoid, to 12 × 7 mm, drying brown, wings same shape as in ovary, the largest expanding to 18 × 7 mm, the smallest to 4 mm wide.

Proposed conservation assessment

Widespread and abundant throughout its range, where it has been collected in disturbed and secondary forest, as well as primary forest and several protected areas. We assess B. peruviana as Least Concern (LC), which also replaces the assessments of four new synonyms of B. peruviana as Data Deficient (DD) by León & Monsalve (2016).

Synonymy notes

Irmscher split B. peruviana into five different species, describing B. juninensis Irmsch. , B. rubiginosipes Irmsch. , B. pilosella Irmsch. , and B. prionophylla Irmsch. ( Irmscher 1949) . Irmscher never visited Peru or saw these plants in the wild and based his classification on duplicates of just fourteen collections in three herbaria (B, F, and US). He identified seven specimens as B. peruviana and each of his new species were represented by either one or two specimens. Irmscher was understandably unable to appreciate the full range of variation of B. peruviana from this limited sample. Most of his new species were distinguished primarily by leaf shape. In common with other scrambling species, B. peruviana has a highly variable leaf shape. Our extensive field, herbarium, and glasshouse experience of this species have demonstrated that leaves in the same population or even on the same plant differ in shape, colour, and pubescence from the top to the bottom of the plant, or from sun to shade. There is a tendency for certain leaf shapes in parts of the species’ range (e.g., specimens from further south tend to have shorter, wider leaves) but we do not consider this variation sufficient to merit taxonomic recognition. Accordingly, we synonymise all of Irmscher’s segregate species with B. peruviana . The specific characters that Irmscher (1949) used to distinguish each of his species are discussed below.

It is unclear what character Irmscher used to separate B. juninensis from the four other Peruvian members of B. sect. Ruizopavonia he recognised. His notes emphasise that the pistillate flowers have two tepals ( Irmscher 1949: 594), but this is true of every Peruvian member of the section. Irmscher believed B. juninensis to be most closely-related to B. alnifolia A.DC. but this seems primarily based upon the relatively large leaves of the type collection. A duplicate of the type collection at NY was not seen by Irmscher and has much smaller leaves. It seems likely that the material Irmscher saw was collected from the shade whereas the NY duplicate was collected in the sun.

Begonia rubiginosipes was separated from B. peruviana based upon several characters ( Irmscher 1949: 596). Its rounded leaf base and broader leaves reminded Irmscher of B. alnifolia . These characters are similar to those he used to separate B. pilosella (see below) but unlike this species the leaves of the type specimens of B. rubiginosipes do not have scattered bristle-like hairs. Irmscher also noted the twicetwisted styles on the type specimen and the toothed bracteoles of the pistillate flower. The leaves of B. peruviana are extremely variable, thus we do not consider leaf base shape, breath, or the presence of hairs good characters to separate B. rubiginosipes . Furthermore, the bracteoles of B. peruviana vary from linear to rounded with varying levels of serration and the styles vary from once to twice twisted. Begonia rubiginosipes falls within the natural variation of B. peruviana , thus we synonymise this species.

In the protologue of B. prionophylla , the author separated the species from B. peruviana based upon its doubly serrated leaves and tendency towards single stomata, rather than stomata in groups of two to four ( Irmscher 1949: 597). The level of leaf serration is highly variable in our concept of B. peruviana and we cannot find any other characters that correlate with it. Furthermore, we do not consider stomatal clustering a good character for separating species. Accordingly, we synonymise B. prionophylla with B. peruviana .

Irmscher distinguished B. pilosella from B. peruviana based upon its relatively broad outer leaf lobes with a rounded base ( Irmscher 1949: 598). He further noted scattered bristles on the upper leaf surface of B. pilosella , which he considered absent in B. peruviana . In Irmscher’s opinion, these characteristics were sufficient to distinguish two species, but only when middle-aged leaves were considered. Younger leaves of Irmscher’s B. pilosella were described the same as leaves of B. peruviana . In our extensive field experience of this species, the width of leaves, the shape of the leaf base, and the presence and density of bristles on the leaf surface differs considerably within populations of all Peruvian species of B. sect. Ruizopavonia. In many cases, these characters differ between young and old, or sun and shade leaves on the same plant. We do not consider them sufficient to separate species.

Typification notes

A.P. de Candolle cited material collected by H.A. Pavón and M. Matthews in the protologue of B. peruviana ( de Candolle 1859: 133) . In his later revision of the Begoniaceae ( de Candolle 1864: 332) , he cited H.A. Pavón s.n. in G-BOIS and M. Matthews 1337 in K, which presumably refer to the same specimens as the protologue. We have been unable to locate any collections of B. peruviana made by Pavón, although an illustration made on their expedition appears to show this species and suggests they did collect it (MA-AJB04-D-1393). We therefore designate M. Matthews 1337 at K (K000536743) as the lectotype of B. peruviana . The lectotype has a determination slip by A.P. de Candolle, confirming he considered this to be a specimen of B. peruviana . A duplicate of this specimen is found in OXF and we consider this an isolectotype. Other specimens of B. peruviana collected by Matthews are found in BM, G, G-BOIS. There is no indication A.P. de Candolle saw these specimens, so we do not treat them as syntypes.

The protologue of B. juninensis cites material of E.P. Killip & A.C. Smith 26097 (F, US) and 26108 (F; Irmscher 1949: 594). Of these three sheets, only E.P. Killip & A.C. Smith 26097 ( US [ US 00955822]) has both flowers and fruits so we designate this the lectotype of B. juninensis . Irmscher (1949: 594) cited duplicates of E.P. Killip & A.C. Smith 25632 in F and US in the protologue of B. rubiginosipes . The specimen in US is by far the superior specimen and we designate it as the lectotype of B. rubiginosipes .

E. Irmscher cited duplicates of A. Weberbauer 6718 in B and F as type material of B. prionophylla ( Irmscher 1949: 597) , so it is appropriate to designate a lectotype from this material. We have only seen photographs of the material at F so designate a sheet at B (B100243071) as the lectotype. This is one of two equally good sheets of this collection at B but has superior label information.

Two collections are cited in the protologue of B. pilosella, F.W. Pennell 14054 and Cook & Gilbert 1109 ( Irmscher 1949: 598). We designate a sheet of the latter held in US as the lectotype of this name, as it is the most complete specimen of the syntypes.

Identification notes

Begonia peruviana is by far the most common and widespread species of large (> 50 cm high) Begonia with pinnately veined leaves and an upright to trailing habit in Peru. Care should be taken to ensure potential candidate collections do not have 3-veins from the base ( B. rossmanniae or B. glabra ); any types of hairs on the stem (various species); or inflorescences that branch fewer than six times ( B. yuracyacuensis Moonlight sp. nov.).

Distribution and ecology

Known from Peru and Bolivia. Within Peru, collected in Amazonas, Cajamarca, San Martín, Ucayali, Huánuco, Pasco, Junín, Madre de Dios, and Cusco Regions ( Fig. 84B ). Found at an elevation of 380– 3600 m a.s.l., chiefly in lower, middle, and upper montane forest and less commonly in northwest Peruvian montane forest. B. peruviana is locally common in disturbed, montane forest and at the edges of montane forest patches and is less commonly found within intact patches. It grows as a terrestrial or rarely epiphytic, semi-scandent herb, reaching at least 4 m in length.

Figures

Fig. 84. Distribution of Begonia sect. Ruizopavonia A.DC. in Peru and surrounding countries. A. B. glauca (Klotzsch) Ruiz & Pav. ex A.DC. (red) and B. yuracyacuensis Moonlight sp. nov. (blue). B. B. nunezii Moonlight sp. nov. (red) and B. peruviana A.DC. (blue). Black lines indicate country borders, grey lines indicate major administrative divisions, blue lines indicate rivers, and shading indicates elevation.