Begonia octopetala subsp. octopetala, Hook.

Moonlight, Peter. W., Jara-Muñoz, Orlando A., Purvis, David A., Delves, Jay, Allen, Josh P. & Reynel, Carlos, 2023, The genus Begonia (Begoniaceae) in Peru, European Journal of Taxonomy 881, pp. 1-334 : 164-168

36.1 Begonia octopetala subsp. octopetala

Figs 52B , 54

Hooker (1837: t. 3559); Klotzsch (1855: 135); Walpers (1858: 874); de Candolle (1864: 283); Smith & Schubert (1941a: 195, 1950: 86, 1952: 39); Smith & Wasshausen (1986:28); Brako & Zarucchi (1993: 194); Tebbitt (2015: 483).

Begonia grandiflora Knowles & Wescott nom superfl., Floral Cabinet, and Magazine of Exotic Botany 1: t. 25 ( Knowles & Wescott 1837).

– Type: PERU – Lima Region • J. Dombey s.n.; lectotype: P [ P00482218 ], designated by Smith & Wasshausen (1979: 243).

Etymology

The species’ epithet refers to the number of tepals on the staminate flower. While the number varies from 6 to 11 in this species, eight is probably the most common number of tepals.

Selected specimens examined

PERU • 1778–1788; H.A. Ruiz & J.A. Pavón s.n.; MA [ MA813503 ]. – Piura Region: Prov. Ayabaca • Cerro Chacas ; [4°36′ S, 79°41′ W]; 27 Apr. 2006; M.F. Sandoval 67; HUT • Dist. Ayabaca, Las Lomas to Ayabaca road , between Pingola & Chinchinpampa; 4°40′ S, 79°46′ W; 2539 m a.s.l.; 28 May 2015; M.C. Tebbitt & A. Daza 842; E, MOL • Ruinas de Aypate, comunidad campesina de Tacalpo , anexo Yanachala; 4°42.94′ S, 79°34.252′ W; 2800–2850 m a.s.l.; O. Angulo Z. & R. Yahuana R. 604; HUT. – Prov. Huancabamba • Carretera entre Canchaque y Huancabamba , km del 16 al 25 desde Canchaque; [5°22′ S, 79°36′ W]; 1900–2200 m a.s.l.; 17 Apr. 1987; C. Díaz &. S. Baldeón M. 2419ª; MO [ MO-098230 ] • [Dist. Huarmaca], Cerca Abra de Porculla , entre Olmos y Jaén; [5°50′ S, 79°31′ W]; 2000–2100 m a.s.l.; 22 Apr. 1964; R. Ferreyra 15664; MO [ MO-2218589 ], USM • [Dist. Huarmaca], km 40–41 hwy from Olmos to Jaén ; 5°52′11″ S, 79°31′38″ W; 1925 m a.s.l.; 3 Feb. 1997; W.H. Lewis, R. Castro, G. Yarupaid N. & N. Malca 17352; MO [ MO-2264010 ]. – Cajamarca Region: Prov. Chota • Entre Huambas y Llama (Quiribamba) ; [6°31′ S, 79°05′ W]; 2500 m a.s.l.; 19 Jun. 1980; J. Cabanillas J. 82; CPUN • Llama-Huambas ; [6°27′ S, 79°00′ W]; 2100 m a.s.l.; 22 May 1965; A. López & A. Sagástegui A. 5276; HUT, US [ US00222213 ] • ibid.; 6°27′00″ S, 79°00′36″ W; 2475 m a.s.l.; 25 Jul. 2014; P.W. Moonlight & A. Daza 70; E [ E00983197 ], MOL. – Prov. Santa Cruz • Dist. Pulan, Languden ; [6°44′ S, 78°53′ W]; 2600 m a.s.l.; 31 Apr. 2006; I. Santa Cruz 407; USM. – Prov. Cajamarca • entre Malete y Tambo, Hacienda Pauca ; [6°52′ S, 78°16′ W]; 3100 m a.s.l.; 18 May 1973; I. Sánchez V. 1161; CPUN • El Bosque , Hacienda Campodén ; [7°31′ S, 78°30′ W]; 2430 m a.s.l.; 12 May 1953; M. Vargas & A. Novoa 2219; HUT, US [ US00222220 ]. – Prov. San Miguel • Dist. La Florida, above La Florida ; 6°53′26″ S, 79°03′13″ W; 1787 m a.s.l.; 30 May 2015; M.C. Tebbitt & A. Daza 848; E, MOL • Entre San Juan y Huacraruco ; [7°18′ S, 78°28′ W]; 2500 m a.s.l.; 8 May 1986; I. Sánchez V. 4066; CPUN, MO [ MO-2218579 ]. – Prov. Contumazá • Way from Cruz Grande to La Henrilla ; 7°22′02.4″ S, 78°53′30.9″ W; 3350 m a.s.l.; 24 Apr. 2001; T. Henning & C. Schneider 28; HUT, USM • Entrada al Bosque Cachil ; [7°24′ S, 78°47′ W]; 2500 m a.s.l.; 9 Jul. 1993; A. Sagástegui A., S. Leiva & P. Lezama 14965; MO [ MO-2218587 ] • Lledén-San Martín ; [7°26′ S, 78°44′ W]; 2500 m a.s.l.; 31 May 1988; A. Sagástegui A., E. García & S. Leiva 14020; MO [ MO-1642405 ], US [ US00424981 ]. – Lambayeque Region: Prov. Chiclayo • Dist. Reque, Cerro Reque ; 6°52′30.68″ S, 79°45′58.93″ W; 574 m a.s.l.; 5 Oct. 2013; A. Juarez 703; USM. – La Libertad Region: Prov. Bolívar • Dist. Uchumarca, Arriba de Uchumarca , 75 km entre Balsas y Bolívar; 7°03′12″ S, 77°49′15″ W; 3527 m a.s.l.; 5 Feb. 2020; P. Gonzáles, Z.A. Goodwin, J.L. Marcelo-Peña & I. Sachahuamán 5808; USM • Quilcaypirca, camino Longotea-Bolívar ; [7°04′ S, 77°50′ W]; 3300 m a.s.l.; 2 Jun. 1960; A. López M. & A. Sagástegui 3352; USM. – Prov. Gran Chimú • Dist. Cascas, road between Cascas and Cotumazá , directly below Bosque de Cachil; 7°25′ S, 78°47′ W; 2316 m a.s.l.; M.C. Tebbitt & A. Daza 828; E, MOL . – Prov. Otuzco • El Granero , Hacienda Llaguén ; [7°43′ S, 78°43′ W]; 2900 m a.s.l.; Jun. 1951; A. López M. 4728; HUT • Parva Grande, Sinsicap ; [7°51′ S, 78°46′ W]; 2780 m a.s.l.; 1 May 1954; A. López, M. Várgas & C. Hererra 2284; HUT • Abajo de Shitahuara ; [7°59′ S, 78°37′ W]; 11 Jun. 1992; S. Leiva G. & P. Leiva G. 583; US [ US00511224 ] . – Ancash Region: Prov. Rucuay • Marco ; [10°11′ S, 77°28′ W]; 2650 m a.s.l.; 1Apr. 1994; P. Gamarra 418; USM . – Prov. Bolognesi • Usgor abajo de Chiquián ; [10°09′ S, 77°09′ W]; 3200–3300 m a.s.l.; 19 May 1950; R. Ferreyra 7569; MO [ MO-2218580 ], US [ US00222223 ], USM • Alrededores de Chiquián (Ninan) ; [10°09′ S, 77°09′ W]; 3250 m a.s.l.; [10°13′ S, 77°38′ W]; 12 May 1960; E. Cerrate de Ferreyra 3104; USM • Cerro arriba de la Rinconada , camino a Ocros; [10°25′ S, 77°25′ W]; 2900 m a.s.l.; 2 May 1977; E. Cerrate, K. Mejía & B. Millán 6641; USM. – Huánuco Region: Prov. Huánuco • Between Carpish and Chinchao ; [9°43′ S, 76°06′ W]; 3000–3100 m a.s.l.; 5 Apr. 1948; C.M. Ochoa 422; US [ US00222221 ] • Cani Pueblo 7 miles NE of Mito; [9°54′ S, 76°23′ W]; 16–26 Apr. 1923; J.F. MacBride 3739; USM • 15 miles SE of Huánuco ; 10°10′ S, 76°11′ W; 31 May–3 Jun. 1922; J.F. MacBride & Featherstone 2129; F. – Lima Region: Prov. Chanchay • Naupay; [11°14′ S, 76°56′ W]; 2700 m a.s.l.; 22 Mar. 1975; E. Cerrate de Ferreyra V., M. Chanco, G. Vilcapoma & M.A. Ferreyra 6322; USM • Lomas de Lachay cerca a Chancay ; [11°21′ S, 77°22′ W]; 12 Oct. 1946; R. Ferreyra 201; USM • Lomas de Lachay; 300–500 m a.s.l.; [11°22′ S, 77°21′ W]; L. Bernardi 16399; G. – Prov. Huaral • Iguanil; [11°24′ S, 77°14′ W]; 400 m a.s.l.; 4 Oct. 1987; E. Cerrate de Ferreyra 9154; USM • Lomas de Chancayllo; [11°27′ S, 77°18′ W]; 250–300 m a.s.l.; 20 Nov. 1965; R. Ferreyra 16607; MO [ MO-2218578 ], USM . – Prov. Canta • Rumpuy cerca a Magua (Huascoy) ; [11°17′ S, 76°46′ W]; 2500–2800 m a.s.l.; 28 Mar. 1959; C. Acleto 27; USM • San Buenaventura; [11°29′ S, 76°40′ W]; 2700– 2900 m a.s.l.; 17 Jun. 1925; F.W. Pennell 14531; GH • Arahuay; [11°37′ S, 76°40′ W]; 2600 m a.s.l.; 4 Apr. 1975; C.M. Ochoa & G. Vilcapoma 268; USM. – Prov. Huarochirí • Arriba de Surco entre Chosica y San Mateo; [11°47′ S, 77°18′ W]; 3000 m a.s.l.; 1 May 1948; R. Ferreyra 3447; GH, USM • Mountains of Zarate , San Bartolome; [11°51′ S, 76°31′ W]; ca 3000 m a.s.l.; 29 May 1959; L.K. Diels 1137 ( US [ US00222215 ] • Huaquicha arriba de Surco ; 2800 m a.s.l.; [11°54′ S, 76°25′ W]; 9 Mar. 1974; E. Cerrate de Ferreyra 5786; USM). – Prov. Lima • Amancay, 5 km southeast of Lima; [11°59′ S, 77°01′ W]; 300 m a.s.l.; 24 Sep. 1938; H.E. Stork & C.B. Horton 9269; G, GH, K, MO, UC • Quebrada (loma) de Manzano , trail to Cerro Manzano, E of Pachacamac; [12°12′ S, 76°54′ W]; 300–500 m a.s.l.; S. Knapp, J. Mallet, H. Clark, C. Díaz, B. León & K. Young 8341; F [ V0078824F ], MO, NY • ca 6 km E of Pachamac; [12°13′ S, 76°47′ W]; 500–700 m a.s.l.; 19 Jul. 1953; S.G.E. Saunders 193; BM, MO. – Prov. Yauyos • Yauyos; [12°27′ S, 75°55′ W]; H. Beltrán 74; USM. – Prov. Cañete • Lomas de Quilmaná entre Lima y Cañete; [12°55′ S, 76°26′ W]; 570 m a.s.l.; 30 Aug. 1948; R. Ferreyra 4004; USM. – Junín Region: Prov. Concepción • Dist. Comas, road from Comas to Satipo ; 11°29′10″ S, 74°53′12″ W; 3394 m a.s.l.; 13 Feb. 2016; P.W. Moonlight & A. Daza 229; E [ E00885596 ], G, MOL • ibid., km 99 ; 11°38′03″ S, 74°59′16″ W; 3573 m a.s.l.; 13 Feb. 2016; P.W. Moonlight & A. Daza 227; E [ E00885592 ], MO, MOL • Road Huancayo-Llanta ; 12°00′48.8″ S, 74°54′71.5″ W; 3550 m a.s.l.; R. T. Pennington, A. Daza & J.L. Marcelo 1486; E [ E00933639 ], MOL. – Huancavelica Region: Prov. Tayacaja • Alrededores de Salcabamba ; [12°11′ S, 74°47′ W]; 3000–3100 m a.s.l.; Apr. 1962; O. Tovar 3600; US [ US00222217 ], USM. – Ayacucho Region: Prov. La Mar • Road from Tambo to Ayna, above Jano ; [12°47′ S, 73°59′ W]; 2895 m a.s.l., 3 Jan. 1975; T. Plowman & E.W. Davis 4667; USM. – Apurimac Region: Prov. Abancay • Bosques bajos Nacchero ; [13°16′ S, 72°50′ W]; 2950 m a.s.l.; 14 Jan. 1950; J.C. Vargas Calderón 8961ª; CUZ.

Description

Acaulescent, rhizomatous herb, to 50 cm high. Rhizome ellipsoid, 2–5 × 1–2 cm, with 1 growing point. Stipules persistent, triangular, 6–10 × 3–10 mm, apex obtuse, opaque, red to brown, glabrous, margin entire, aciliate to sparsely ciliate. Leaves> 3, alternate, basifixed; petiole 7–45 cm long, green to red, sparsely to densely lanate; blade subsymmetric, circular to triangular in outline, to 25 × 27 cm, succulent, apex indistinct to obtuse, base cordate, basal lobes not overlapping or overlapping, sinus to 80 mm deep, margin with 0–10 short, crenate lobes on the broad side of the lamina, dentate, ciliate, upper surface green, sometimes flushed deep purple around the petiole insertion, glabrous to pilose, lower surface pale green, sometimes flushed deep purple around the petiole insertion and major veins, glabrous to sparsely lanate, sparsely to densely lanate on the major veins, veins palmate but with 1 primary vein, 5–6 veined from the base, with 1–3 secondary vein on the larger side, 1–3 on the smaller side. Inflorescences 1–3, bisexual, axillary, erect, a dichasial or monochasial cyme, with 1–3 branches, bearing up to 3 staminate flowers and 2 pistillate flowers, protandrous; peduncle to 50 cm long, red, sparsely to densely lanate, bracts persistent, ovate to lanceolate, 5–11 × 2–8 mm, opaque, white, green, or red, glabrous, apex acute to obtuse, margin entire, aciliate. Staminate flowers: pedicels to 55 mm long, sparsely to densely lanate; tepals 6–11, spreading, oblanceolate to obovate, 10–30 × 6–17 mm, apex rounded, white to pink, glabrous, rarely sparsely lanate on the outer surface, margin entire, aciliate; stamens 50–100, spreading, yellow, filaments 2–5 mm long, free, anthers obovoid, ca 0.5–1 × 0.5 mm, dehiscing via lateral slits, connectives extended to ca 0.1 mm, symmetrically basifixed. Pistillate flowers: pedicels to 58 mm long; bracteoles lacking to 2, positioned directly beneath the ovary, lanceolate to ovate, ca 5 × 3–4 mm, apex acute to rounded, opaque, green flushed red, glabrous, margin entire, aciliate; tepals 6–10, subequal, late deciduous in fruit, spreading, elliptic to oblanceolate, 11–24 × 4–9 mm, apex rounded to truncate, white to pink, glabrous on the inner surface, sparsely to densely lanate on the outer surface, margin entire, aciliate; ovary body ovoid to broadly obovoid, 8–10 × 5–12 mm, white to pink, sparsely to densely lanate, unequally 3-winged, the largest triangular to rectangular, 8–10 × 8–25 mm, the smallest a semi-circular ridge, 0.5–4 mm wide; 3-locular, placentae branches divided, bearing ovules on both surfaces; styles 3, yellow, free, 3–5 mm long,> 5 times-divided, stigmatic papillae in a spirally twisted band. Fruiting pedicel to 55 mm long. Fruit body obovoid, to 10 × 12 mm, drying brown, wings same shape as in ovary, the largest expanding to 12 × 35 mm, the smallest not expanding.

Proposed conservation assessment

Extremely widespread in Peru and Ecuador and in Peru occurs both in the Andes and coastal Lomas. The species is extremely common in Lomas formations, particularly around Lima, which have been subject to urban expansion over the past 50 years but are now protected. In the Andes, B. octopetala subsp. octopetala has a much more scattered distribution and often occurs in small populations (e.g., surrounding single waterfalls) but can also occur over relatively large areas with> 10000 individuals in a single population (e.g., over the Huancabamba Pass in Piura Region and on the road from Comas to Satipo in Junín Region). We assess B. octopetala subsp. octopetala as Least Concern (LC).

Synonymy notes

We clarify here that B. grandiflora Knowles & Wescott is a superfluous name. It was published in 1837 based upon living material descended from seeds collected by J. Dombey in 1778 and grown in Paris before being sent to the authors ( Knowles & Wescott 1837). The name B. grandiflora was used by Ruiz, Pavon, and Dombey on their expedition and it seems likely they intended to publish the species under this name (MA-AJB04-D-1388). In 1788 however, Charles Louis L’Héritier de Brutelle published the species as B. octopetala based upon Dombey’s material ( L’Héritier de Brutelle 1788). Knowles & Wescott cited L’Héritier’s work and stated they believed their B. grandiflora was the same species as B. octopetala ( Knowles & Wescott 1837) . Following Article 52.2(e) ( Turland et al. 2018), B. grandiflora is therefore a superfluous name of B. octopetala .

Typification notes

The protologue of B. octopetala cited material collected in Peru by Dombey, but did not cite a herbarium. Smith & Wasshausen (1979) cited a duplicate of this collection in Paris herbarium as the type, which is an effective lectotypification.

Begonia grandiflora is a superfluous name for B. octopetala and no type was indicated in the protologue. Following Article 7.5 ( Turland et al. 2018), the type of this name is therefore the same as for B. octopetala .

Identification notes

Begonia octopetala subsp. octopetala is the most common geophytic species of Begonia in coastal Peru and the central and northern Andes. Care should be taken to ensure potential specimens of this species do not have strongly asymmetric inflorescences ( B. pleiopetala and B. pseudopleiopetala Tebbitt ); uniformly red tepals ( B. polypetala ); <6 tepals on the staminate flower ( B. geraniifolia , B. joshii , B. speculum , B. tumbezensis and B. weberbaueri ); staminate flowers with tepals with emarginate apices ( B. anemoniflora ) or serrate margins ( B. tumbezensis ); bifid styles ( B. joshii , B. speculum and B. weberbaueri ); or ascending fruit wings ( B. octopetala subsp. ovatiformis Irmsch. ).

Distribution and ecology

Found in Peru and Ecuador. Within Peru, collected in Piura, Cajamarca, Lambayeque, La Libertad, Ancash, Huánuco, Lima, Huancavelica, Ayacucho, and Apurimac Regions ( Fig. 52B ). Known from an elevation of 0–3527 m a.s.l., which is uniquely broad for a Begonia , and found within Lomas formations, dry forest and scrubland, northwest Peruvian montane forest, high elevation grasslands, and rarely middle and upper montane Forest. Begonia octopetala subsp. octopetala is a geophytic herb and is dormant in the dry season, flowering at the start of the dry season. Throughout its range, the wet season varies such that B. octopetala subsp. octopetala has been collected in flower in every month of the year.

Figures

Fig. 52. Distribution of the octopetala group of Begonia sect. Eupetalum (Lindl.) A.DC. in Peru and surrounding countries. A. B. anemoniflora Irmsch. (red) and B. tumbezensis Irmsch. (blue). B. B. octopetala L.Hér. subsp. octopetala (red) and B. octopetala subsp. ovatiformis Irmsch. (blue). C. B. pleiopetala A.DC. (red) and B. pseudopleiopetala Tebbitt (blue). D. B. polypetala A.DC. (red). Black lines indicate country borders, grey lines indicate major administrative divisions, blue lines indicate rivers, and shading indicates elevation.

Fig. 54. Begonia octopetala L’Hér subsp. octopetala. A. Habitat. B. Habit. C. Staminate flower, front view. D. Pistillate flower, front view. All photographs taken by P.W. Moonlight from P.W. Moonlight & A. Daza 227 (A, B) and 229 (C, D) in Concepción Province, Junín Region.