Articles
BEGONIA GERMPLASM RESOURCES OF CHINA
Article number
766_44
Pages
337 – 348
Language
English
Abstract
Two hundred and ten species (including species, subspecies and varieties) of Begonia L. are described so far in China.
They are distributed in twenty-one provinces, regions or districts in China.
Yunnan is the province richest in begonias.
One hundred and fourteen known species are distributed in Yunnan, which occupies about 54% of the total Chinese begonia species.
The natural distribution of Chinese begonias ranges from 90 m to 3400 m in altitude in Yunnan.
Three horticultural types and growth types of Chinese begonias are mentioned in the present paper.
Among 210 species of Chinese begonias, 131 species belong to rhizomatous type, 42 species belong to erect-stemmed type and 37 species are tuberous.
In general, tuberous begonia grows at the highest altitude following by erect-stemmed begonias.
The rhizomatous begonias are distributed in relatively low altitude.
It was noticed that over 50% of the Chinese begonias might have ornamental value.
Many begonias can be directly developed as ornamental plants while some can be very valuable genetic resources for breeding.
The species like B. silletensis can be used for breeding scented flower cultivars.
The yellow-flowered begonias are also valuable genetic resources for breeding.
Many Chinese begonias are only distributed in a very small area naturally and some begonias are threatened for surviving.
The efficient conservation of the Chinese Begonias should be paid great attention.
The data presented in this paper is comprehensive on Chinese begonias.
They are distributed in twenty-one provinces, regions or districts in China.
Yunnan is the province richest in begonias.
One hundred and fourteen known species are distributed in Yunnan, which occupies about 54% of the total Chinese begonia species.
The natural distribution of Chinese begonias ranges from 90 m to 3400 m in altitude in Yunnan.
Three horticultural types and growth types of Chinese begonias are mentioned in the present paper.
Among 210 species of Chinese begonias, 131 species belong to rhizomatous type, 42 species belong to erect-stemmed type and 37 species are tuberous.
In general, tuberous begonia grows at the highest altitude following by erect-stemmed begonias.
The rhizomatous begonias are distributed in relatively low altitude.
It was noticed that over 50% of the Chinese begonias might have ornamental value.
Many begonias can be directly developed as ornamental plants while some can be very valuable genetic resources for breeding.
The species like B. silletensis can be used for breeding scented flower cultivars.
The yellow-flowered begonias are also valuable genetic resources for breeding.
Many Chinese begonias are only distributed in a very small area naturally and some begonias are threatened for surviving.
The efficient conservation of the Chinese Begonias should be paid great attention.
The data presented in this paper is comprehensive on Chinese begonias.
Publication
Authors
K.-Y. Guan, H. Ma, J.-X. Li, H.-Z. Li, H. Yamaguchi
Keywords
China, begonia, germplasm, horticultural classification
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