Begonia elachista Moonlight & Tebbitt sp. nov., an enigmatic new species and a new section of Begonia (Begoniaceae) from Peru

  • Peter Watson Moonlight Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, 20a Inverleith Row, Edinburgh EH3 5LR
  • Carlos Reynel Facultad de Ciencias Forestales, Universidad Nacional Agraria-La Molina, Avenida La Molina, Apartado 456, Lima 12
  • Mark Tebbitt Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, California University of Pennsylvania, California, PA 15419-1394
Keywords: Begonia, sectional classification, limestone endemics, Peru, Amazonia

Abstract

The world’s smallest Begonia, Begonia elachista Moonlight & Tebbitt sp. nov., is described and illustrated from a limestone outcrop in the Amazonian lowlands of Pasco Region, Peru. It is placed within the newly described, monotypic Begonia sect. Microtuberosa Moonlight & Tebbitt sect. nov. and the phylogenetic affinities of the section are examined. Begonia elachista sp. nov. is considered Critically Endangered under the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria.

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Published
2017-02-17
How to Cite
Moonlight, P. W., Reynel, C., & Tebbitt, M. (2017). Begonia elachista Moonlight & Tebbitt sp. nov., an enigmatic new species and a new section of Begonia (Begoniaceae) from Peru. European Journal of Taxonomy, (281). https://doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2017.281