1.9. Begonia phantasma Tebbitt, Novon 24(3): 319, fig. 1 (2015).

– Type: Bolivia, Santa Cruz Department, Vallegrande Province, Rte. de Che S of town of Vallegrande, 18°42′58′′S, 64°9′26′′W, 12 i 2012, M.C. Tebbitt 721 (holotype USZ, isotype USZ) .

M.C. Tebbitt, Tuberous Begonias, a Monograph of Begonia sect. Australes 113 (2020).

Identification notes. Begonia phantasma is a difficult species to determine and shares individual characters with several other members of Begonia sect. Australes . It is best distinguished by its combination of transversely ovate leaves; its large and paired, denticulate bracts that surround the lower proportion of the inflorescence; and its cream to pink flowers with basifixed stamens. Vegetative characters that may aid in the identification of Begonia phantasma are its dark glaucous green leaves and its absent to sparse indumentum.