Begonia megaptera, commonly known as the large winged begonia, is a species of flowering plant in the family Begoniaceae. It is native to Nepal, the eastern Himalaya, Assam, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. It is very rare in its native habitat and is cultivated as an ornamental and medicinal plant.
Taxonomy and Etymology
The species was described by Alphonse Pyramus de Candolle (abbreviated A.DC.). The genus name Begonia was coined by botanist Charles Plumier in honor of Michel Bégon, a French patron of botany. The specific epithet megaptera refers to the plant's large wing-like structures. "Mega" derives from the Ancient Greek μέγας (mégas), meaning "great" or "large," while "ptera" derives from the Ancient Greek πτερόν (pteron), meaning "wing" or "feather."
Description
Begonia megaptera is a rhizomatous geophyte that grows primarily in wet tropical biomes. It has large, ovate leaves. The flowers are white with a pinkish tinge. A prominent feature is that the sepal cup is prominently three-winged, with the wings being quite large.
Distribution and Habitat
The native range of this species extends from Nepal through the eastern Himalaya, Assam, Bangladesh, and into Myanmar. According to the World Flora Online, the species has an Area of Occupancy (AOO) of 40 km² and an Extent of Occurrence (EOO) of 220,500 km², with ample suitable habitat in the Himalayas and Arakan mountains. Populations in the Garo-Khasi Hills of Meghalaya are at risk due to deforestation.
Cultivation and Uses
The plant is cultivated as an ornamental and is also used medicinally.
