REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BOGOR -- Two new species of Begonia (Begoniaceae), which were found in Aketajawe-Lolobata National Park, Halmahera, North Maluku province, in 2011, are endemic to Halmahera Island, according to a scientist.
With the discovery of the two species, the number of endemic Begonia species in Halmahera reached six, Wisnu H. Ardi of the Plant Conservation Center of the Bogor Botanical Garden of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) said here on Thursday (26/12).
The two new species were discovered during a research and exploration mission in Aketajawe-Lolobata National Park, Halmahera Island, by a joint team of experts from LIPI's Bogor Botanical Garden and Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden of the U. S. in 2011.
The two endemic Begonia species have been named Begonia aketajawensis Ardi & D. C. Thomas and Begonia holosericeoides Ardi & D. C. Thomas.
During the 2011-2013 period, LIPI continued to observe and identify characteristics of the two Begonia species.
"In early 2014, an article (on the newly discovered species) was submitted to the Reinwardtia Journal and was published in December," Ardi stated.
Furthermore, the two new species of Begonia have the potential to be used as ornamental plants because they are very unique and attractive.
Indonesia has many species of Begonia.
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