THREE NEW SPECIES OF BEGONIA FROM THE OUTER ISLANDS OF SOUTHEASTERN SULAWESI

Abstract

Three new species of Begonia sect. Petermannia (Begoniaceae), namely B. batusangiensis Ardi & D.C.Thomas, B. kabaenensis D.C.Thomas & Ardi and B. labengkiensis Ardi & D.C.Thomas, are described from the outer islands of southeastern Sulawesi, Indonesia. Photographs of these species, notes on their distribution and habitat preferences, and provisional IUCN conservation assessments are provided, as well as a key to the identification of 14 species of southeastern Sulawesi Begonia. The three new species are calciphile endemics to Sulawesi and assessed as Critically Endangered (CR).