Novelties in Begonia (Begoniaceae) from the campos rupestres of Serra do Padre Angelo, Minas Gerais, Brazil: a new species and a new record

Begonia piranga (Begoniaceae) is a new narrowly endemic species from the campos rupestres of Serra do Padre Angelo, a quartzitic massif in Conselheiro Pena, eastern Minas Gerais state, Brazil. Description, diagnosis, taxonomic comments, detailed illustrations, field photographs, and a provisional IUCN Red List Assessment are provided. The new species is considered Critically Endangered due to its restricted occurrence in high elevation rock outcrops, small population size, and decline in the quality of the habitat. Begonia vasconcelosiana, another Critically Endangered species, is also newly reported here for Serra do Padre Angelo. These discoveries add to the increasing list of novelties from Serra do Padre Angelo, reinforcing the urge for conservation actions to protect the endemic flora of this Serra and other areas of campos rupestres in eastern Minas Gerais state.

Automated summary

Begonia piranga is a new narrowly endemic species from eastern Minas Gerais state in Brazil, considered Critically Endangered due to its restricted occurrence and decline in habitat quality. Another newly reported Critically Endangered species, Begonia vasconcelosiana, emphasizes the importance of conservation actions to protect the endemic flora in the region.