AN INFRASPECIFIC TAXONOMIC REVISION OF BEGONIA MICRANTHERA (BEGONIACEAE)

Abstract

Two new infraspecific taxa of Begonia micranthera Griseb. are described. Begonia micranthera subsp. albonervia Tebbitt is described and illustrated as a new subspecies native to the Andes of southern Bolivia (Chuquisaca, Cochabamba and Santa Cruz Departments). Begonia micranthera subsp. micranthera var. flava Andrada & Bulacio is newly described from Argentina's Jujuy Province. Begonia micranthera var. rhacophylla Irmsch. is raised to subspecies and newly recorded from Bolivia. Begonia micranthera var. hieronymi (Lindau) L.B.Sm. & B.G.Schub. is recognised as B. micranthera subsp. rhacophylla var. hieronymi (Lindau) L.B.Sm. & B.G.Schub. The type collection of Begonia micranthera var. foliosa L.B.Sm. & B.G.Schub. is newly recognised as a hybrid between B. micranthera Griseb. subsp. micranthera and B. micranthera subsp. rhacophylla (Irmsch.) Tebbitt. Begonia micranthera var. fimbriata L.B.Sm. & B.G.Schub. is newly synonymised with B. cinnabarina Hook. Begonia cinnabarina is newly recognised from Argentina and is lectotypified. Begonia micranthera subsp. micranthera var. nana L.B.Sm. & B.G.Schub. is also lectotypified. A key, diagnoses and illustrations are provided for all the recognised infraspecific taxa of Begonia micranthera.