Begonia aristata (Section Petermannia, Begoniaceae), a new species from Surigao del Sur, Philippines

Begonia aristata is described as a new species endemic to the Philippines. It grows on rocky slopes in semi-shaded coconut farm habitat along the coast of Matho, Cortes, Surigao del Sur. Begonia aristata resembles Begonia benitotanii Rubite, Tandang & C.W.Lin in having erect and branching stems, ovate-lanceolate leaves with a serrate margin, 2-tepaled staminate flowers and 5-tepaled pistillate flowers with 3 equal wings but differs in being shorter (ca. 45 cm tall vs. 2–4 m tall), having triangular stipules (vs. oblong), obtuse leaf base (vs. obliquely cordate), adaxially dark green and scabrid (vs. emerald green with white patches), and oblong ovary (vs. elliptic). Based on IUCN criteria we proposed data deficient (DD) since there is only one population currently known.