Photo credit: T.TAN
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Begonia melanobullata is a rhizomatous species from Vietnam where it is typically found on wet cliffs or steep limestone slopes in evergreen broad-leaved forest, elevation at 300–400 m. It thrives in bright indirect light. Leaves bullate with raised bullae on each leaf, each with its own hair protruding from the tip. Prefers high humidity (>60%) and well-draining substrate.
| Species | B. melanobullata |
|---|---|
| Region | South East Asia |
| Country | Vietnam |
| Year published | 2015 |
| Date of Origin | 2010 |
| Plant Type | Rhizomatous |
| Section | Coelocentrum |
| Chr 2n | 30 |
| Endangered Status | - |
| 🌡️ | 24 to 30C |
| đź’¦ | Higher Humidity (>60%) |
| Care notes | Well draining substrate |
Photo credit: In Search of Small Things
Photo credit: In Search of Small Things
| Species/ Cultivar | B. melanobullata |
|---|---|
| Form Varieties | |
| Author | C.-I Peng & C. W. Lin, Botanical Studies 2015, 56:9 |
| Publication Date | 2015 |
| Date of Origin | 2010 |
| Place | Cao Bang Province, Thach An District |
| Habitat | Semi-shaded wet cliffs or steep limestone slopes in evergreen broad-leaved forest, elevation at 300–400 m. |
| Section | Coelocentrum |
| Chr 2n | 30 |
| Plant Type | Rhizomatous |
| Synonyms and Comments | Etymology: Latin melano (very dark) and bulla (bubble or blister) after the leaf surface |
| Reference | Hughes M. et al., Asian Begonia 203, 2018 |
hing-I Peng1, Che-Wei Lin, Hsun-An Yang, Yoshiko Kono and Hieu Quang Nguyen, Six new species of Begonia (Begoniaceae) from limestone areas in Northern Vietnam: Botanical Studies 2015, 56:9 |
| Description | Begonia melanobullata is a perennial, rhizomatous herb. It has a stout, creeping rhizome that can grow up to 50 cm long and 1-2.5 cm thick. -The stipules are yellowish to pale green, ovate-triangular, and have a keeled shape. -The leaves are alternate, widely ovate to elliptic, with unique features like bullae (small raised structures) on the upper leaf surface. -The inflorescences emerge directly from the rhizome, forming branched dichasial cymes. -The plant exhibits both staminate (male) and pistillate (female) flowers.
Notes Begonia melanobullata resembles B. ferox C. in having blackish bullae on leaf upper surface. However, Begonia melanobullata is sharply distinct by the leaves widely ovate to widely elliptic (vs. ovate), peduncle 15–38 cm (vs. 5–13 cm) long, inflorescence branched 4–6 (vs. 3–4) times, staminate flower tepals greenish (vs. yellowish-reddish) and smaller anthers. Begonia melanobullata also resembles B. nahangensis, differing in the leaf apex acuminate (vs. obtuse), staminate flower greenish (vs. white to pinkish); tepals of pistillate flowers yellowish-pinkish (vs. light olive-green), suborbicular or broadly ovate (vs. broadly reniform). | | --- | --- | | Male Flower | The staminate flowers have 4 tepals, with the outer 2 being broadly ovate and the inner 2 being elliptic. There are around 65-80 stamens with yellowish-green to gold yellow anthers. | | Female Flower | The pistillate flowers have 3 tepals, and the ovary is trigonous-ellipsoid with wings. The styles are fused at the base and form a twisted stigma. The capsule is also trigonous-ellipsoid with wings. | | Plant Hardiness | “I have not found it necessary to add lime to the growing media, and instead make sure to supplement regularly with cal-mag (lime is 98% calcium) and sometimes add a pinch of azomite to the potting media initially. All in all, it’s an easier species that can even be grown in ambient humidity if acclimated slowly and kept evenly moist.”- In Search of Small Things |
| Sun Tolerance | Bright, indirect light |
|---|---|
| Pests Diseases | |
| Temperature | 7-35C |
| Humidity | High Humidity (>60%) |
| Propagation Method | |
| Comments |
| Offspring of: | NA |
|---|---|
| Female Parent Of | *B. “*Dragon Heart” |
| *B. “*The Iron Maiden” | |
| Male Parent Of | none in our records |
| In Cultivation? | Yes |
References: In Search of Small Things
Photo Credits: In Search of Small Things | T. TAN |