Skip to main content Skip to main navigation menu Skip to site footer
Responsive image
Issue: Vol. 730 No. 3: 21 Nov. 2025
Type: Article
Published: 2025-11-21
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.4
Page range: 269-276
Abstract views: 222
PDF downloaded: 5

Resolving a taxonomic enigma: Rediscovery of the Mindanao endemic Begonia sordidissima (Begoniaceae) after over a century confirms its distinct status from B. mindorensis

Center for Integrative Conservation and Yunnan Key Laboratory for Conservation of Tropical Rainforests & Asian Elephants, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla, Yunnan 666303, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
Department of Biology, College of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Caraga State University, Ampayon, Butuan City 8600, Philippines
College of Forestry and Environmental Studies, Mindanao State University – Buug Campus, Datu Panas, Buug 7009, Zamboanga Sibugay, Philippines; College of Forestry and Environmental Studies, Mindanao State University – Main Campus, Marawi City 9700, Lanao del Sur, Philippines
Department of Biology, College of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Caraga State University, Ampayon, Butuan City 8600, Philippines
Biodiversity hotspot megadiversity nomenclature Philippines section Baryandra Eudicots

Abstract

Begonia sordidissima has been considered as a synonym of B. mindorensis since 1923. Our recent fieldwork led to the rediscovery of B. sordidissima in Mindanao after more than a century, prompting a detailed morphological study that confirms its reinstatement as a distinct species. We designate lectotypes for both names and provide an emended description, including new data on pistillate flowers, photographs, updated distribution information, habitat preference, and a preliminary IUCN conservation assessment. This work underscores the critical need for continued field exploration and taxonomic revision in biodiversity-rich yet threatened regions such as the Philippines.

References

  1. Amoroso, V.B., Lamparas, R.J.V., Lagunday, N.E., Dapar, M.L.G. & Rubite, R.R. (2023) Begonia fritschiana (Begoniaceae, Begonia section Baryandra), a new species from Quezon, Bukidnon, Philippines. Phytotaxa 587 (1): 39–46. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.587.1.5
  2. Bachman, S., Moat, J., Hill, A., de la Torre, J. & Scott, B. (2011) Supporting Red List threat assessments with GeoCAT: Geospatial Conservation Assessment Tool. ZooKeys 150: 117–126. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.150.2109
  3. Beentje, H. (2016) The Kew plant glossary: an illustrated dictionary of plant terms. 2nd ed. Royal Botanic Garden, Kew.
  4. Bucay, M.A.C., Tandang, D.N., Chen, H.W., Tsai, L.W., Rubite, R.R. & Chung, K.F. (2025) Morphological and molecular analyses revealed two new species of Begonia sect. Baryandra in the Eastern Mindanao Biodiversity Corridor, Philippines. Phytotaxa 698 (4): 245–256. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.698.4.4
  5. Bucay, M.A.C., Tandang, D.N., Rubite, R.R., Jallores Jr, E. & Chung, K.F. (2024) A new Begonia species (sect. Baryandra, Begoniaceae) from Batangas Province, Luzon Island, Philippines. Phytotaxa 641 (4): 277–285. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.641.4.4
  6. Chong, F.Y., Guanih, V.S., Sang, J. & Kiew, R. (2015) Begonia (Begoniaceae) in the Danum Valley Conservation Area, Sabah, Borneo, including eleven new species. Sandakania 20: 51–85.
  7. Elmer, A.D.E. (1915) Two hundred twenty six new species—I. Leaflets of Philippine Botany 7: 2319–2718.
  8. Espeja, B.L., Bucay, M.A.C., Tandang, D.N., Rubite, R.R., Chen, H.W., Chung, K.F. & Bautista, M.G. (2024) A new record of Begonia aptera in Southern Mindanao: the second species of Begonia sect. Platycentrum recorded from the Philippines. Phytotaxa 670 (3): 181–186. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.670.3.4
  9. Hughes, M., Coyle, C. & Rubite, R.R. (2010) A revision of Begonia section Diploclinium (Begoniaceae) on the Philippine island of Palawan, including five new species. Edinburgh Journal of Botany 67: 123–140. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0960428609990266
  10. Hughes, M., Moonlight, P.W., Jara-Muñoz, A., Tebbitt, M.C., Wilson, H.P. & Pullan, M. (2015) Begonia Resource Centre. Available from: http://padme.rbge.org.uk/begonia/ (accessed 1 December 2024)
  11. Mazo, K.R.F. & Rubite, R.R. (2022) Two new species of Begonia (section Petermannia, Begoniaceae) from the Zamboanga Peninsula, Philippines, and a redescription of Begonia parvilimba. Phytotaxa 538 (2): 163–171. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.538.2.9
  12. Mazo, K.R.F., San Juan, F.M., Cata-al, E.T., Castañares, E.D. & Rubite, R.R. (2024) Two new species of Begonia (section Petermannia, Begoniaceae) from Zamboanga del Norte, southwestern Philippines. Taiwania 69: 393‒398. https://doi.org/10.6165/tai.2024.69.393
  13. Merrill, E.D. (1912) The Philippine species of Begonia. Philippine Journal of Science, section C 6: 369–406.
  14. Merrill, E.D. (1923) Begonia Tournefort. In: Merrill, E.D. (Ed.) An enumeration of Philippine flowering plants, vol. 3. Bureau of Printing, Manila, pp. 119–129.
  15. Moonlight, P.W., Ardi, W.H., Padilla, L.A., Chung, K.F., Fuller, D., Girmansyah, D., Hollands, R., Jara-Muñoz, A., Kiew, R., Leong, W.C., Liu, Y., Mahardika, A., Marasinghe, L.D.K., O’Connor, M., Peng, C.-I, Pérez, Á.J., Phutthai, T., Pullan, M., Rajbhandary, S., Reynel, C., Rubite, R.R., Sang, J., Scherberich, D., Shui, Y.M., Tebbitt, M.C., Thomas, D.C., Wilson, H.P. & Hughes, M. (2018) Dividing and conquering the fastest-growing genus: Towards a natural sectional classification of the mega-diverse genus Begonia (Begoniaceae). Taxon 67: 267–323. https://doi.org/10.12705/672.3
  16. Moonlight, P.W., Baldaszti, L., Cardoso, D., Elliott, A., Särkinen, T. & Knapp, S. (2024) Twenty years of big plant genera. Royal Society Proceedings B 291: 20240702. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2024.0702
  17. Olimpos, S.M. & Ples, D.J.R. (2023) Begonia dimorpha (Begoniaceae) and Clerodendrum pygmaeum (Lamiaceae), new records for the Philippines from Tawi-Tawi Island. Gardens' Bulletin Singapore 75 (1): 119–128. https://doi.org/10.26492/gbs75(1).2023-09
  18. Pelser, P.B., Barcelona, J.F. & Nickrent, D.L. (Eds.) (2011 onwards) Co’s Digital Flora of the Philippines. Available from: http://www.philippineplants.org (accessed 15 Jan. 2025)
  19. Tian, D., Xiao, Y., Tong, Y., Fu, N., Liu, Q. & Li, C. (2018) Diversity and conservation of Chinese wild begonias. Plant Diversity 40: 75–90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pld.2018.06.002
  20. Turland, N.J., Wiersema, J.H., Barrie, F.R., Greuter, W., Hawksworth, D.L., Herendeen, P.S., Knapp, S., Kusber, W.-H., Li, D.-Z., Marhold, K., May, T.W., McNeill, J., Monro, A.M., Prado, J., Price, M.J. & Smith, G.F. (2018) International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (Shenzhen Code) adopted by the Nineteenth International Botanical Congress Shenzhen, China, July 2017. Regnum Veg. 159. Koeltz Botanical Books, Glashütten. https://doi.org/10.12705/Code.2018

How to Cite

Naive, M.A.K., Along, A.A., Rozano, R.R.E. & Ruales, J.J.J. (2025) Resolving a taxonomic enigma: Rediscovery of the Mindanao endemic Begonia sordidissima (Begoniaceae) after over a century confirms its distinct status from B. mindorensis. Phytotaxa 730 (3): 269–276. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.4