Molecular and morphological evidence of the hybrid origin of a Novel Begonia Species from the limestone areas of Dingle, Iloilo.

Abstract

Begonias are cultivated worldwide because of their attractive and beautifully patterned leaves. In the Philippines, a large 83% of the 104 species are narrow endemics and majority of them are found in limestone forests. Here we report the first account of Philippine Begonia hybridization in the wild from Bulabog Putian Natural Park in Dingle, Iloilo. It grows on moist, coralline slopes at 200 m in elevation. Based on a comparison of morphology and molecular evidences, we conclude that the Begonia hybrid is a result of natural hybridization between Begonia copelandii Merr. and Begonia rhombicarpa A. DC. This new natural hybrid is a useful indicator as it is one of the most biodiverse groups of the limestone flora.