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Begonia salaziensis (Gaud.) Warb., taxonomy and placentation
Author(s) -
De Wilde J. J. F. E.,
Arends J. C.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
acta botanica neerlandica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.871
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1438-8677
pISSN - 0044-5983
DOI - 10.1111/j.1438-8677.1989.tb01910.x
Subject(s) - begonia , taxonomy (biology) , placentation , biology , zoology , geography , botany , placenta , pregnancy , fetus , genetics
SUMMARY Begonia salaziensis is the type of section Mezierea (Gaud.) Warb. The section contains six species, here arranged in three groups, and is considered the most primitive in the genus. Seeds of B. salaziensis were obtained from Mauritius and plants grown from these flowered after 16 months. Among all the Begonia spp. studied hitherto, the placentation of B. salaziensis appears to be unique. The entire surface of the ovarial cavity is covered by ovuliferous placental tissue. This novelty is placed in an evolutionary transformation series. It is suggested that the placentation in B. salaziensis represents the most plesiomorphic state of the character placentation known within Begonia to date. The etymology of the name Mezierea is given. The accepted species and their synonyms are listed.