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Species

B. antsiranensis

Photos

5 photos

Identity

Genus
Begonia
Name
B. antsiranensis
Author
Aymonin & Bosser, Fl. Madagascar
Publication Date
1983
Habitat
endemic. North Center, Montagne de Francais, Bosser 20165. Outcroppings of dry limestone rocks; the leaves wither and disappear during the dry winter season and only persists the tuberous stem protected by its numerous and large brown bracts.
Country
Madagascar
Region
Africa
Section
Quadrilobaria
Plant Type
Rhizomatous
Reference
Fl. Madagascar 144:46, pl. 6:figs. 4–8. 1983.; JGSL9/08
Article References
Flore de Madagascar et des Comores; M. Keraudren-Aymonin & Aymonin G. 1983. — Begoniaceae. Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Paris, 123 p. vol. 144-145).

Plant

Description
Herba erecta 30-50 cm alta, e tuberculo rotundato-incrassato valde scarioso oriunda, petiolo folii 15-25 cm longo; lamina membranacea, usque ad 25 cm Iara, palmatilobata, lobulis triangularibus, paucidentatis, utrinque tenuiter pubescente, basi cordato-truncata. Inflorescentia solitaria (vel 2?), pedunculo communi 20-50 cm alto, erecto, floribus 20-40, roseis, bracteis, axillantibus oppositis, roseis, 8 mm latis. Florum MALE tepala 2,8-12 x 10-12 mm, staminibus 16-20, filamentis liberis 1-5 antheri longis. Florum FEMALE tepala 4, 8-10 X 5 mm; styli 3, liberi, apice bifidi, stigmatibus pauco sinuosis. Capsula usque ad 22 X 22 mm, 3-alata, alis 2-5 mm latis, altera 12 (15 mm) Iata, ovato-rotunda. Perennial plant with a thick tuberous stem (2.5-5 cm) covered with large triangular (bractees) scales, scarious, dark brown, 20-25 X 10-15 mm, acute at the apex. Leaves and inflorescences arising directly from the stump. Petiole 15-25 cm long, covered with a fine reddish pubescence. Few leaves 1-2 (-3); blade almost always asymetrically palmatilobic and palmatinerve up to 25 cm wide, 5-7 (-9) triangular-acute lobes, lobules or incisions-dentes, very shallow (dry) and pale green, very finely pubescent-velvety on both sides; veins well-marked, hairy-reddish on the lower side, lateral basal veins forming a broadly cordiform sinus with perpendicular edges at the apex of the petiole. Inflorescence peduncle erect, branched at the apex, densely pubescent, having 20-40 pinkish-bright flowers; upper bracts, about 8 mm wide, petaloids, pink-bright. MALE flower has 2 pink tepals 8-12 x 10-12 mm, oval, weak ropes at base. Stamens 16-20, with free filets almost to the extreme base, scarcely equaling 1/5 the length of antheres. FEMALE flowers generally have 4 tepals shorter than in the MALE flowers (8-10 x 5 mm approx.); styles 3, bifid, soda only at the base; stigma a little wrapped. Capsule mature somewhat asymmetrical, with 2 wings 8 mm wide, has a larger, rounded wing, 22 x 12 mm; border of subhorizontal wings at the top of the capsule; reticulate veins well marked. Seeds of 0.4 mm approx. Ornamentation very finely vermiculiform between the meshes of the tegumentary network. - Pl. 6 p. 27. This plant has certain affinities with Begonia nossibea A. DC. by the general appearance of the vegetative apparatus and the leaves. However, several characters are also close to those of Begonia mananjebensis Humbert: strain type, seeds, basal sinus of the limb. The leaf of Begonia antsiranensis is very characteristic, but also shows similarities with the leaves of some B. goudotii A.DC., the two taxa being sympatric to the Montagne des Francais, the B. goudotii generally MALE flowers and FEMALE have 2 tepals.

Lineage

Parents

No parentage recorded.

Descendants

No recorded descendants.

Culture

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