<i>Begonia himalaica,</i> a new species from the Indian Eastern Himalayas

Repeated expeditions conducted in Arunachal Pradesh resulted in the discovery of a unique Begonia , Begonia himalaica D.Borah, Chowlu, A.Shenoy and Taram, belonging to sect. Platycentrum . It is close to Begonia rockii Irmsch. in having broadly ovate leaves, hairy petioles, and bearing inflorescences directly from the rhizome, but differs in having leaves glabrous adaxially and sparsely setose abaxially, irregular purplish red patches between veins, 20–40 cm long petiole covered with setose hairs, large glabrous navicular bracts at the base of the inflorescence, and glabrous ovary. This species is described here based on collections made in Chayang Tajo, East Kameng District of Arunachal Pradesh. The new species is assessed as ‘Data Deficient' according to IUCN Guidelines for Using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.