aketajawensis | Notion

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TL:DR

Begonia aketajawensis is a rhizomatous species from Indonesia where it is typically found on vertical moist rock surfaces at altitudes of 100–150 meters. It thrives in half to full shade. Leaves are incredibly varied in terms of pattern and colour and has enormous female flowers for its leaf size. Prefers high humidity and well-draining substrate.

Species	B. aketajawensis
Region	South East Asia
Country	Indonesia
Year published	2021
Date of Origin	2011
Plant Type	Rhizomatous
Section	Petermannia
Chr 2n	-
Endangered Status	-
🌡️	Upper 30C
💦	Higher Humidity (>60%)
Care notes	Well draining substrate

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Detailed information

General Info

Photo credit: In Search of Small Things

Species/ Cultivar	B. aketajawensis
Form Varieties	Silver/White, Dark, Variegated
Author	Ardi & D. C. Thomas, Reinwardtia
Publication Date	2014
Date of Origin	2011
Place	Maluku: North Halmahera, Aketajawe-Lolobata National Park, Tayawi Village, Indonesia
Habitat	Typically found on vertical moist rock surfaces, including limestone substrates. It thrives in half to full shade and is commonly found in secondary forests at altitudes of 100–150 meters.
Section	Petermannia
Chr 2n	-
Plant Type	Rhizomatous
Synonyms and Comments	The specific epithet "aketajawensis" originates from the collection locality of the type material, Aketajawe-Lolobata National Park.

An incredibly varied species, with multiple color forms often being expressed in a single seed collection. Has enormous female flowers for its leaf size.- ‘In Search if Small Things’

Begonia aketajawensis can be distinguished from Begonia holosericea by its leaf shape and size, male flower tepal count, and ovary characteristics. Notably, B. aketajawensis has narrowly obovate to orbicular leaves (8.8–12 × 8.3–11 cm), male flowers with four tepals, and sparsely hairy or glabrous ovaries, in contrast to the broader leaves and densely hairy ovaries of B. holosericea. | | Reference | Reinwardtia 14(1): 20. 2014 |

Description

| Description | The plant is a perennial, monoecious herb with creeping stems, reaching a length of approximately 25 cm.

Stems are few-branched, with internodes ranging from 1.7 to 3.8 cm in length, densely covered with branched hairs.
Leaves are alternate, with persistent stipules and channelled, red petioles. Variable leaf colouring and patterning.
Leaf lamina is narrowly obovate to orbicular, with dimensions of 8.8–12 × 8.5–11 cm.
Inflorescences are axillary and protogynous. | | --- | --- | | Male Flower | Male flowers have four white tepals, with the two larger ones measuring 11–15.5 × 11.5–15 mm, orbicular in shape.
Stamens have yellow filaments and oblong anthers. | | Female Flower | Female flowers have five to six white tepals, with the four larger ones measuring 10.5–15 × 8–11 mm, obovate in shape.
Ovary is globoid with three locules and bilamellate placentation. | | Plant Hardiness | |

Care & Propagation

Sun Tolerance	Half to full shade
Pests Diseases
Temperature	upper: 30C
Humidity	High Humidity (>60%)
Propagation Method
Comments

Lineage & Availability

Offspring of:	NA
Female Parent Of	none in our records
Male Parent Of	none in our records
In Cultivation?	Yes

References: In Search of Small Things

Photo Credits: In Search of Small Things

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