Two newly identified species of flowering plant, Begonia, have been discovered in one of Davao Oriental’s rich biodiversity zones, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Davao Region (DENR-11) said Tuesday.
In a statement, DENR-11 said the species—Begonia medinae and Begonia dorisiae—were found in the Eastern Mindanao Biodiversity Corridor (EMBC), a recognized haven for endemic and rare flora and fauna.
The two plants belong to the Begonia section Baryandra and were confirmed as distinct species through extensive morphological and molecular analysis.
“These discoveries add to the growing list of Philippine Begonia species, including Begonia abhak and Begonia noraaunoriae, the latter named after National Artist Nora Aunor,” DENR-11 said.
The new species are named in honor of notable figures: B. medinae after Dr. Milton Norman Medina, a botanist from Davao Oriental State University and co-founder of the Philippine Coleopterists Society Inc.; and B. dorisiae after veteran broadcast journalist Doris Bigornia.
The agency highlighted that the discoveries made in underexplored regions like the EMBC contribute significantly to the understanding of the Philippines’ hidden botanical diversity.
The flowering periods of the species vary slightly—B. medinae typically blooms from August to September, while B. dorisiae flowers from July to August.
Both species are being recommended for inclusion in the country’s list of threatened flora. B. medinae is proposed as critically endangered due to its small population and habitat disturbance, while B. dorisiae is classified as vulnerable, given the fragility of its coastal ecosystem and exposure to typhoon impacts.
