Begonia trichocarpa, Dalzell, Dalzell

Pawar, Manohar & Jhariya, BL, 2023, New state record of Begonia trichocarpa dalzell (family begoniaceae) from Madhya Pradesh, India, Species (e 1 s 1001) 24 (73), pp. 1-4 : 1-3

3. RESULTS

Based on literature review is confirmed that this is the first state record Begonia trichocarpa from Madhya Pradesh. According the literature review this Begonia Genus is found in above 1000 mm rainfall. The mean rainfall of area is 1600 mm and area come under in Maikal ridges of Satpura ranges. According to Champion and Seth, (1968), the forests of the area have been categorized in to southern tropical moist mixed deciduous forest (3A/c2a) and southern tropical dry mixed deciduous forest (5A/c2).

Begonia trichocarpa (Hairy-Fruit Begonia ) is an annual, big herb with reddish stems that are flaccid, almost upright and covered with tiny hairs. Up to 8 cm long by 3 cm wide, ovate-oblong, long-pointed, diagonally heart-shaped at base, hairy, membranous, 5- nerved from base; stalk: 1-3 cm long, leaves are ovate-oblong, long-pointed and have a stalk that is 1-3 cm long. Stipule is lance shaped. Flower cymes are 2 cm across, lateral, carried on stalks 1-2 cm long. 1-3 flowers are borne together with 4 male sepals, hairless, hispid, inner smaller and curved; on the other hand female sepals are 4 or 5 in numbers and similar to male flowers, ovary is hairy, 3-locular, placenta single, styles 3 and each divided in to two branches at tip. Capsule is 1 x 2 cm in size and obovate in shape, flat at tip, wings acute above, seeds are very minute, hexagonal in shape. Hairy-Fruit Begonia is observed from Matiyari Nala, Ram Nagar Road along with forest edges and near buffer area of Kanha Tiger Reserve. Begonia is considered as an endemic to Western Ghat but now its range is extended to central Indian Highland. The nearest description location is Nandurbar district of Maharashtra.

Etymology

The Specific epithet trichocarpa refers to the presence of hairs on fruits.

Phonology

Flowering and fruiting from August to December in the field.

Ethnobotanical use of Begonia trichocarpa

The Tribal’s of the area used Begonia trichocarpa in treatment of skin diseases, cough, toothache, obstructed menstruated, scorpion & wasp bites, impotence etc.