Begonia madaiensis


Begonia madaiensis is a species of flowering plant in the family Begoniaceae, endemic to Mount Madai,Borneo. It is a cane begonia that grows in limestone.

Distribution and habitat

There are 18 different species of begonia native to the 59 limestone hills in Sabah. Of these hills, 22 are protected by the Rafflesia Forest Reserve. The rest are no longer surrounded by forest, or lie within commercial forests that have been or will be logged. Because of the lack of forest, the flora on these hills are particularly vulnerable to fire. Quarrying, the collection of bird's nests, and tourism also degrade the environment.
Of the 18 begonia species, 12 are endemic to a single hill. B. madaiensis is one of these.

Plant physiology

Begonia madaiensis is unique among begonias in that it can live in full-sun. It will not flower in deep-shade. Like other Sabah limestone begonias, it has relatively small flowers.

Etymology

The specific epithet refers to Mount Madai, where B. madaiensis is endemic.