Begonia bridgesii A.DC.

Moonlight, Peter & Fuentes, Alfredo F., 2022, AN UPDATED CHECKLIST AND KEY TO THE SPECIES OF BOLIVIAN BEGONIA, INCLUDING ONE NEW SPECIES, Edinburgh Journal of Botany 79 (407), pp. 1-66 : 31

5.23. Begonia bridgesii A.DC. , Ann. Sci. Nat. Bot. IV(11): 132 (1859).

– Type: Bolivia, T.C. Bridges s.n. (holotype CGE n.v.; isotype BM [ BM001191526 ], G-DC ex CGE) .

L.B. Smith & B.G. Schubert, Revista Univ. (Cuzco) 33(87): 80 (1944); R.C. Foster, Contr. Gray Herb. 184: 137 (1958); D.C. Wasshausen et al. in P.M. JØrgensen et al. (eds), Cat. Bolivia, Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Gard. 129: 384 (2013).

Begonia cyathophora auct. non. Poepp. & Endl. in D.C. Wasshausen et al . in P.M. JØrgensen et al. (eds), Cat. Bolivia, Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Gard. 129: 384 (2013).

Distribution. Endemic to Bolivia.

Notes. Begonia bridgesii remains probably the least well-known but accepted species of Begonia from Bolivia. We have been unable to examine the holotype; however, from the isotypes we have seen, this appears to be a similar species to Begonia fissistyla Irmsch. but with a very different fruit shape. We have not observed any flowers of Begonia bridgesii and have seen only a single leaf.

Identification notes. Begonia bridgesii is most similar to B. fissistyla . Both species are upright, glabrous herbs with deciduous stipules. The two can be distinguished by the shape of their fruit wings: the wings of Begonia bridgesii are triangular with straight sides and distinct apices, whereas those of B. fissistyla have rounded edges that merge into the apices. The largest fruit wings of Begonia bridgesii are broadest where they join the ovary, whereas those of B. fissistyla are broadest around half of the length to the apex.