Begonia lophoptera Rolfe

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 : 87-88

14. Begonia lophoptera Rolfe

Figs 24D , 31

Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information, Kew 1914 (1): 28 ( Rolfe 1914).

– Type: PERU – Pasco Region: Prov. Oxapampa • Pozuzo ; [10°04′ S, 75°33′ W]; R. Pearce 556; lectotype: K [ K000536718 ], designated by Moonlight & Reynel (2018: 122) .

Smith & Schubert (1941a: 193); Brako & Zarucchi (1993: 193); Wasshausen et al. (2014: 385); Vásquez et al. (2005: 112–125).

Etymology

The name derives from the Greek ‘ lophos ’ and ‘ pteron ’, meaning ‘crested’ and ‘wing’ respectively. This refers to the largest wing of the ovary and fruit of the species, which we refer as notched at the apex, also resembles a crest.

Selected specimens examined

PERU – Amazonas Region: Prov. Bagua • Dist.Yambrasbamba, Área de Conservación Privada Bosque Berlín , cerca Santa Clara, trilha das cascadas; 5°54′08″ S, 78°24′55″ W; 2064 m a.s.l.; 5 Jul. 2018; P.W. Moonlight 1275; USM. – Pasco Region: Prov. Oxapampa • Dist. Chontabamba, Headwaters of río Tunqui , trail to Chuchurras-Palcazú ; 10°14′S, 75°28′W; 1850m a.s.l.; 2Jan.1984; R.B.Foster, M.Chanco, J. Albán & D.N. Smith 7751; MO [ MO-1835888 ] • Dist. Huancabamba, Sector Oso Playa , camino hacia el campamento; 10°18′52″ S, 75°34′31″ W; 2478 m a.s.l.; 22 Oct. 2009; L. Valenzuela, A. Monteagudo, M. Cueva, A. Peña, J. Mateo & R. Rivera 13875; HOXA, E [ E00934204 ], MO [ MO-2991357 ], USM • Dist. Oxapampa, río San Alberto , abra Esperanza ; 10°31′ S, 75°20′ W; 2400–2700 m a.s.l.; 28 Jun. 1985; R.B. Foster, B. d’Achille & A. Brack 10289; MOL, USM. – Junín Region: Prov. Satipo: route from Comas to Satipo, ca km 145 ; 11°30′07″ S, 75°51′48″ W; 2810 m a.s.l.; 13 Feb. 2016; P.W. Moonlight & A. Daza 231; MOL, E [ E00885549 ] • Northern Cordillera Vilcabamba , eastern slope, upper río Poyeni watershed; 11°33′35″ S, 73°38′28″ W; 2050 m a.s.l.; 23 Jun. 1997; B. Boyle, M. Arakaki & H. Beltrán 4570; US [ US00619624 ]. – Ayacucho Region: Prov. La Mar • Above Yuraccyacu on Cappichio- Punco trail , ca 40 km NE of Tambo, W slope of río Apurimac valley; 12°45′ S, 73°48′ W; 2516 m a.s.l.; 23 Jul. 1970; M.T. Madison 10320-70; US [ US00222170 ] • Dist. Anco, camino de Chinquintirca a Toccate , altura de los km 206–207 del gaseoducto; [12°58′ S, 73°38′ W]; 2300–2400 m a.s.l.; 24 Mar. 2005; J. Roque 4476; USM. – Madre de Dios Region: Prov. Manu • Cerro de Pantiacolla, río Paltoa 10–15 km NNW of Shintuya, transect to ridgetop; 71°17′ W; 12°35′ S, 700–1300 m a.s.l.; 14 Dec. 1985; R.B. Foster, R. Fernández & E. Vivar 10844; USM. – Madre de Dios - Cusco Region • Road Puerto Maldonado-Urcos , between Quince Mil and Marcapata; [13°18′ S, 70°48′ W]; ca 800 m a.s.l.; 6 Oct. 1987; F. Kahn & J.A. Llosa 2253; NY. – Cusco Region: Dist. Echarate • Kapiromashi , 12°09′48″ S, 72°34′31″ W; 750 m a.s.l.; 26–30Apr. 2004; N. Salinas, H. Beltrán, R.B. Foster & C. Vriesendorm 6584; USM. – Prov. Calca • Dist. Yanatile, Camino hacia Lacco Yavero ; 12°15′ S, 72°18′ W; 1567 m a.s.l.; 27 Feb. 2005; L. Valenzuela, E. Suclli & J. Farfán 5310; MO [ MO-2153566 ], US [ US00932200 ] • Estrella, 12°26′50″ S, 72°30′05″ W; 1567 m a.s.l.; 20 Oct. 2005; E. Suclli, C. Astete, A. Carazas & J. Torre 2592; MO [ MO-2184519 ], US [ US00951219 ], USM. – Prov. La Convención • Cloud forest at camp 2 ½, damp Banks at Knox’s Cascade , ca 2 km NW of camp 2 ½; [12°38′ S, 73°03′ W]; ca 1760 m a.s.l.; 29 Jul. 1968; T.R. Dudley 10601; US [ US00222352 ] • Dist. Ocobamba, Versalles , Santa Elena; 12°46′29″ S, 72°17′08″ W; 1917 m a.s.l.; 20 Nov. 2007; L. Valenzuela, C. Astete, F. Zamora, N. Suzres & M. Atausupa 10305; MO [ MO-2227977 ]) ; Dist. Santa Ana, “ Quillabamba ”; 12°50′04.5″ S, 72°47′20.8″ W; 2009 m a.s.l.; 16 Mar. 2017; A. Orejuela, J. Castillo & M. Suarez 2861; E [2: E00934206 , E01053420 ], USM. – Prov. Paucartambo • 14 miles from Pilcopata along road to Cuzco, quebrada de Pillahuata; [13°02′ S, 71°30′ W]; 28 Nov. 1968; B. Maguire & C. Maguire 61581; MO [ MO-2264391 ], NY, US [ US00222176 ] • Dist. Kosñipata, Road from Paucartambo to Manu National Park ; 13°05′ S, 71°33′ W; 1857 m a.s.l.; 13 Jan. 2015; M.C. Tebbitt & A. Daza 821; E [ E01059316 ], MOL, USM • Dist. Marcachea, Achirani; [13°33′ S, 70°36′ W]; 2700 m a.s.l.; 29 Jul. 1939; J.C. Vargas Calderón 11113; K. – Prov. Quispicanchi • Quincemil ; [13°14′ S, 70°45′ W]; 730 m a.s.l.; 28 Feb. 1965; J.C. Vargas Calderón 16063; US [ US00222177 ] • Community of Vitobamba, trocha Huarapascay ; [13°18′ S, 70°49′ W]; 22 Mar. 2011; J.D. Wells 763; BRIT, USM • Dist. Maracapata, Between San Miquel (a small hamlet formerly known as San Pedro) and Puenti Capiri ; 13°25′ S, 70°54′ W; 1294 m a.s.l.; 8 Jan. 2015; M.C. Tebbitt & A. Daza 807; E [ E01059317 ], MOL.

Description

Caulescent herb, to 100 cm high. Stem erect, occasionally branching; internodes to 8.5 cm long, to 8 mm thick, succulent, red, glabrous to sparsely pilose. Stipules persistent, reniform to ovate or rarely broadly lanceolate, 10–19 × 6–14 mm, apex rounded to acute, translucent, green, glabrous, margin entire, aciliate, base surrounded by pilose hairs. Leaves> 5, alternate, basifixed; petiole 1.5–9 cm long, red, sparsely to densely pilose; blade asymmetric, ovate, to 11 × 12 cm, succulent, apex acute to acuminate, base cordate, basal lobes not overlapping, sinus to 15 mm deep, margin irregularly double-dentate, with up to 4 cusps along the broad side of the lamina, ciliate, upper surface glaucous to vivid green, sometimes with red veins towards the petiole insertion, glabrous to densely pilose, lower surface pale green with red veins, sparsely to densely pilose, veins palmate but with 1 primary vein, 6–9 veined from the base, with 1–3 secondary veins on the larger side, 1–2 on the smaller side. Inflorescences 1–3, bisexual, axillary, erect, cymose, with up to 8 branches, bearing up to 16 staminate flowers and 8 pistillate flowers, protandrous; peduncle to 8 cm long, red, sparsely to densely pilose, bracts deciduous, lanceolate, 7–25 × 5–7 mm, translucent, white, glabrous to sparsely pilose, apex acute, margin entire, aciliate to ciliate. Staminate flowers: pedicels to 15 mm long, sparsely to densely pilose; tepals 2, spreading, ovate, 6–19 × 6–17 mm, apex acute, white, pink, or red, inner surface glabrous, outer surface pilose, margin entire, aciliate; stamens 25–35, spreading, yellow, filaments 1.5–2 mm long, free, anthers linear, 0.5–1.5 × 0.5 mm, dehiscing via lateral slits, connectives extended to 0.5 mm, symmetrically basifixed. Pistillate flowers: pedicels to 12 mm long; bracteoles lacking; tepals 2, equal, deciduous in fruit, spreading, ovate, 11–21 × 4.5–17 mm, apex acute, white, pink or red, inner surface glabrous, outer surface pilose, margin entire, aciliate; ovary body ovoid, 4–6 × 2.5–3.5 mm, white, pink or red, sparsely pilose, unequally 3-winged, wings triangular, largest wing notched at the apex, 5–8 × 3.5–10 mm, smallest 5–8 × 1–4 mm; 3-locular, placentae branches divided, bearing ovules on both surfaces; styles 3, yellow, free, 3–5 mm long, once-divided, stigmatic papillae in a spirally twisted band. Fruiting pedicel to 25 mm long. Fruit body ovoid, to 11 × 6 mm, drying brown, wings same shape as in ovary, the largest expanding 14 × 18 mm, the smallest expanding to 12 × 8 mm.

Proposed conservation assessment

Recently assessed by Moonlight & Reynel (2018) as Least Concern (LC). A recent record from Bolivia ( Moonlight & Fuentes 2022) increases its known EOO to> 189 000 km 2.

Identification notes

Begonia lophoptera is very unusual in caulescent Andean begonias with palmate venation because its stems, petioles, and leaf laminae are usually sparsely to densely pilose (individual organs are rarely glabrous, but never the whole plant). It is also unusual among caulescent begonias in its cuspidate leaves. Identification of B. lophoptera can be confirmed by its notched fruit wings, which are only shared with the completely glabrous B. lamolina .

Distribution and ecology

Known from Peru and Bolivia. Within Peru, found in Amazonas, Pasco, Junín, Ayacucho, Madre de Dios, and Cusco Regions ( Fig. 24D ). Found within lower, middle, and upper montane forests and rarely Amazonian forest at an elevation of 700–2700 m a.s.l. Most records are from Pasco and Cusco Regions with the species only sparsely collected elsewhere, though this may reflect collection effort. Three recent records from a small population in Amazonas Region (P.W. Moonlight 1273, 1274, 1275) either represent a disjunct population, or suggest the range of B. lophoptera may be more continuous along the eastern slopes of the Andes than our data suggest. The species tends to be locally common around undisturbed, shaded water courses, and its nodding fruits suggest its seeds are drip dispersed.

Figures

Fig. 24. Distribution ofBegonia sect.Cyathocnemis (Klotzsch)A.DC. in Peru and surrounding countries. A. B. amoeboides Moonlight (red) andB. imbrexiformis Moonlight sp. nov. (blue).B. B. bracteosaA.DC. (red) and B. longinqua Moonlight (blue). C. B. cyathophora Poepp. & Endl. (red), B. serratistipula Moonlight sp. nov. (blue) and C. vargasii Moonlight sp. nov. (green). D. B. lamolina Moonlight (red), B. lophoptera Rolfe (blue) and B. obtecticaulis Irmsch. (green). Black lines indicate country borders, grey lines indicate major administrative divisions, blue lines indicate rivers, and shading indicates elevation.

Fig. 31. Begonia lophoptera Rolfe. A. Habitat. B. Habit. C. Inflorescence, showing staminate flowers. D. Inflorescence, showing pistillate flowers. All photographs taken by P.W. Moonlight from P.W. Moonlight 1274 (B, C) and 1275 (A, D) in Bagua Province, Amazon Region.