Researchers Discover Tallest Begonia Species In Asia

A team of researchers found a begonia plant in Tibet that's even taller than a human. It is said to be the tallest begonia species in Asia.

Researchers first spotted a rather special begonia plant in Sept. 10, 2020 during a field survey of wild begonias in Tibet, Pensoft noted in a blog. Although most begonias are actually just "small weeds," this plant was even taller than a human, and a closer look at its flowers convinced Dr. Daike Tian, one of the authors of the paper describing the find, that it is indeed a new species.

There were a few dozen individuals of the newly discovered plant, and scientists collected two of the tallest specimens for research. One of them was so tall that the driver had to stand on top of a vehicle just so they could measure it properly, a process that was captured in a photo. Dr. Tian even had to cut it into several sections just so they can bring it back to Shanghai.

The scientists named it the Begonia giganticaulis after its "very tall and thick stem." At over three meters tall, it is the tallest begonia on record in Asia, Pensoft noted. According to researchers, the earliest specimen of the species was collected in 1972, also in Tibet, but it was misidentified as another begonia species, the B. acetosella.

"When you hear 'Begonia' what you probably picture is a flowering plant sitting comfortingly in a pot on your windowsill," Pensoft tweeted, sharing a photo of the massive plant beside Tian. "Now, meet record-breaking Begonia giganticaulis."

The new species is found in at least two areas of the Mêdog region in Tibet, although more may be discovered, the researchers noted. Based on the currently available data, the species' conservation status may be categorized as "endangered" because of its "severely fragmented" habitat. So far, it is estimated that the known populations consists of under 1,000 individual plants.

The specimen has been dried and is now on display at the Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden, Pensoft noted. Staff at the herbarium is also applying the specimen for a Guinness World Record.