A Revision of Begonia Section Gobenia
Mark C. Tebbitt and Álvaro J. Pérez
62 pp.
December 2022
ISBN: 978-1-943751-13-6
Abstract. A revision of Begonia section Gobenia (Begoniaceae) necessitated several taxonomic changes, with two new species, B. cordillerae and B. pseudomaurandiae, one new variety, B. segregata var. yumboana, and eight new synonyms being recognized here and an additional new species having been published previously. In addition, four species are recircumscribed compared to their treatment in the Begonia account for the Flora of Ecuador, and pistillate material is described for the first time for three of the species recognized here. Two lectotypes and one neotype are newly designated. The Begonia section Gobenia is recognized as including 11 species and is distributed primarily within the northern Andean montane forests of Colombia, Ecuador, and northern Peru, with just two species commonly occurring in premontane as well as montane forest. The section is distinguished by its combination of a scandent habit, with plants climbing by using aerial roots, and pistillate flowers with usually 2 or rarely 4 bracteoles at the base of the ovary, and by their unique small styles with short, thick branches. Most species of Begonia section Gobenia are also very unusual in having a staminate perianth that is larger and sometimes also more brightly colored than the unusually small pistillate perianth. The taxonomic history and morphology of the group are discussed and full descriptions, synonymies, distribution maps, red data assessments, and a key are provided for all the species and infraspecific taxa.