New begonia species discovered in Kayin State

By Admin 13 Oct 2023

DMG Newsroom
13 October 2023, Sittwe
 
A new species of begonia has been discovered in Myanmar’s Kayin (Karen) State, according to Native Species Conservation and Identification of Myanmar, a citizenship science initiative dedicated to documenting and conserving the country’s biodiversity.
 
The discovery was made during a field trip by the group along Mount Zwegabin in Kayin State in 2019. Following research, it was confirmed as a new species by the International Journal of Biodiversity Taiwan and partners on October 5, according to Native Species Conservation and Identification of Myanmar.
 
“It is, however, not yet a rare species. Further research needs to be carried out to confirm if it is a rare species. The new species is different from others in terms of leaves, buds, flowers and veins,”  said Ma Mya Phone Maw from Native Species Conservation and Identification of Myanmar, who contributed research on the new species.
 
The new species has been named Begonia kayinensis, referring to where the flower was found. There are more than 90 species of begonia in Myanmar and over 2,000 species of begonia around the world, of which more than 1,000 are native to Asia, according to Native Species Conservation and Identification of Myanmar.
 
“What is different about the new species is that it has an upright stem with tuber, and inflorescence arises from the top of the stem,” said Ma Mya Phone Maw.