Shivaji University-Kolhapur researchers discover two new species of begonia in Western Ghats

PUNE: Researchers from Shivaji University, Kolhapur have discovered two new ornamental flower species from the Begoniaceae family in the Western Ghats.
The species collected from Handibadaganath Math, Khanapur taluka in Belagavi district has been named after begonia handibadaganathensis. The other species collected from Nelliyampathy hills in Palakkad district of Kerala was named begonia bachulkarii in honour of researcher Madhukar Bachulkar of the university.

Researchers said India has 57 species of begonia of which 18 are under threat.Some nurseries in Europe, Japan, the US and Australia specialize in commercial propagation of the species, cultivars and hybrids because of their horticultural and economic value.
“We need the same awareness and culture among our farmers who can have an alternative source of income,” they said. Some species of begonia have food and medicinal value.
The findings were published in Phytotaxa, an International Journal on Plant Systematics in November. Researchers said many begonias — wild, cultivated and hybrids — are showcased as ornamentals.
Makarand Aitawade, researcher and head of the department of botany at the university told TOI that none of the Indian begonias have received credit for their ornamental value or utilized for commercial purpose.
“The new species have ornamental potential as garden plants. We hope to bring these species under cultivation as commercial ornamentals for protection, multiplication, and conservation,” he said.
Veteran professor and researcher S R Yadav said, “Western Ghats nurture a huge plant diversity. We have successful conservation stories of rare, endangered, and threatened plant species. Endemic begonias from Western Ghats have ornamental, food and medicinal value.”