After three years of study, Begonia occidentalis, a new plant species from Misamis Occidental, Mindanao, was officially published in Phytotaxa on March 25, 2026. Phytotaxa is a peer-reviewed journal that reports on the classification and naming of plants, algae, and fungi, including new species and biodiversity research. This species belongs to Begonia section Baryandra, a group mostly endemic to the Philippines. It was discovered in a riparian area within the province’s rugged, biodiverse terrain. The finding expands the list of endemic Philippine Begonia species and highlights the importance of conserving native habitats.
Below are photos of Begonia occidentalis.
Photo below shows local conservationist Melbert James G. Baul with the new plant species on his left showing the size of Begonia occidentalis.
Below is an abstract of the article at Phytotaxia.
Read more on the discovery in the link below.
https://phytotaxa.mapress.com/pt/article/view/phytotaxa.749.1.7
info and images courtesy of Melbert Baul
