Dr. Daike Tian with an individual of Begonia gigantica. Credit: Qing-Gong Mao
With over 2050 known types, Begonia is among the biggest plant genera. Since many Begonias are small weeds, a Begonia taller than a human is an extremely uncommon sight. The recently discovered Begonia gigantica is one of the few exceptions.
In 2019, Dr. Daike Tian and his associates initiated a field study on wild Begonias in Tibet, China. On September 10, 2020, when Dr. Tian saw a huge Begonia in full bloom during studies in the county of Mêdog, he got immediately excited. After examining its flowers, he was positive it represented a new species.
The research team measures the height of a Begonia gigantica individual at its collection website. Credit: Qing-Gong Mao
From a little population with a few dozens of people, Dr. Tian collected 2 of the tallest ones to measure them and prepare specimens necessary for more research study. In order to bring them back to Shanghai and prepare dry specimens, Dr. Tian had to cut each plant into four sections.
Since a lot of Begonias are little weeds, a Begonia taller than a human is a really uncommon sight. The freshly found Begonia gigantica is one of the few exceptions.
On September 10, 2020, when Dr. Tian saw a big Begonia in full flower during studies in the county of Mêdog, he got immediately thrilled. To our knowledge, this is the worlds biggest specimen of a Begonia types. In October 2020, the visitors who saw it at the first Chinese Begonia program in Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden were surprised by its huge size.
A Begonia gigantica plant is cut up for simpler transportation. Credit: Daike Tian
To date, this plant is the tallest Begonia tape-recorded in the whole of Asia.
Begonia gigantica, recently referred to as a new types in the open-access journal PhytoKeys, grows on slopes under forests along streams at elevation of 450– 1400 m. It is fragmentally dispersed in southern Tibet, which was one of the reasons that its preservation status was assigned to Endangered according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.
The primary stem base of Begonia gigantica. Credit: Daike Tian
After being dried at a herbarium and mounted on a big board, the dried specimen was determined at 3.1 m high and 2.5 m wide. To our understanding, this is the worlds largest specimen of a Begonia species. In October 2020, the visitors who saw it at the very first Chinese Begonia program in Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden were surprised by its substantial size.
Male inflorescence of Begonia gigantica. Credit: Daike Tian
Currently, the personnel of Chenshan Herbarium is applying for Guinness World Records for this specimen.
The research group position with a specimen of Begonia gigantica at the first Chinese begonia show in Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden. Credit: Meiqin Zhu
Recommendation: “A new species (Begonia gigantica) of Begoniaceae from southern Xizang (Tibet) of China” by Tian D-K, Wang W-G, Dong L-N, Xiao Y, Zheng M-M, Ge B-J, PhytoKeys.DOI: 10.3897/ phytokeys.187.75854.
Begonia gigantica exhibited at the very first Chinese begonia program in Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden. Credit: Daike Tian.