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Issue: Vol. 774 No. 1: 11 Sept. 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-09-11
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.774.1.6
Page range: 69-78
Abstract views: 66
PDF downloaded: 5

Begonia falcatifolia (Begoniaceae, section Baryandra), a new species from Surigao del Norte, Mindanao Island, Philippines

Plant Biology Division; Institute of Biological Sciences; College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics; Central Mindanao University; University Town; Musuan; Bukidnon; 8710; Philippines
Philippine Taxonomic Initiative; Inc.; Barangay Maligaya; El Nido; Palawan; 5313; Philippines
Philippine Taxonomic Initiative; Inc.; Barangay Maligaya; El Nido; Palawan; 5313; Philippines; Department of Biology; Davis College of Science and Engineering; Texas Christian University; 2800 South University Drive; Fort Worth; Texas; 76109; USA
Plant Biology Division; Institute of Biological Sciences; College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics; Central Mindanao University; University Town; Musuan; Bukidnon; 8710; Philippines
Eudicots archipelago critically endangered Philippine endemic Southeast Asia

Abstract

Begonia falcatifolia, a new endemic species of Begonia section Baryandra from the Philippines, is here described and illustrated. It was discovered in a secondary forest on a coastal mountain in Barangay Mabua, Surigao City, Surigao del Norte, Philippines. This species is unique among all other members of section Baryandra in the Philippines primarily by its falcate leaf blades. It closely resembles B. makuruyot; however, it differs by having lanceolate, falcate leaves, a slightly rugose or smooth lamina with glaucous abaxial leaf surface, a shorter inflorescence, a higher stamen count, sparsely glandular staminate and pistillate outer tepals, and a capsule with smaller wings. Following IUCN Red List criteria, we propose B. falcatifolia as Critically Endangered (CR). A taxonomic key to the Begonia species found in Surigao del Norte Province is also provided.

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How to Cite

Caballes, K.B.M.L., Ang, Y.P., Tamayo, M.N. & Mendez, N.P. (2026) Begonia falcatifolia (Begoniaceae, section Baryandra), a new species from Surigao del Norte, Mindanao Island, Philippines. Phytotaxa 774 (1): 69–78. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.774.1.6