| Begonia giganticaulis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Cucurbitales |
| Family: | Begoniaceae |
| Genus: | Begonia |
| Species: | B. giganticaulis |
| Binomial name | |
| Begonia giganticaulis D.K.Tian & W.G.Wang | |
Begonia giganticaulis is a tree-like Begonia species (family Begoniaceae) recently discovered in Tibet. It is believed to be the tallest known Begonia species at twelve feet (3.6 meters) in height. It has a basal diameter of five inches (twelve cm). The team, headed by Daike Tian discovered it in Medog County, Tibet on September 10, 2020. [1] Its main floristic difference is that the male flowers have six tepals as against the four tepals found in most Begonias. The simple, entire leaves are like those of myrtle and privit. It is considered endangered because it is estimated there are less than one thousand adult plants in its known range. [2] [3] While most of Tibet has an alpine climate, Medog County is a tropical valley protected by high mountains.