Begonia asperifolia Irmsch.

Similar to Begonia labordei, this species differs by its large, somewhat rugulose leaves and 5-tepaled pistillate flowers (in B. labordei, the pistillate flowers have 3(or 4) tepals). Some specimens of intermediate size and lacking pistillate flowers are difficult to identify.

Herbs, deciduous. Tubers subglobose, 1.3-2 cm in diam. Leaves 1(or 2), basal, occasionally with short stem; stipules caducous; petiole (8-)15-23(-28) cm, subglabrous or tomentose; blade broadly ovate, asymmetric, 15-20(-30) × 11-18(-20) cm, abaxially pubescent, more densely so on veins, or rusty tomentose, adaxially sparsely pubescent or densely strigose, venation palmate, 6-8-veined, base slightly oblique, cordate, margin irregularly serrulate, undivided or very shallowly lobed. Inflorescences terminal, racemose at base, 12-25 cm tall, subglabrous; bracts oblong-ovate to ovate, 5-6 × 1-1.2 cm, membranous, apex obtuse. Staminate flowers: pedicel 1-1.5(-2.5) cm; tepals 4, pink, glabrous, outer 2 suborbicular, 1.1-1.3 × 1-1.2 cm, inner 2 oblong to ovate-oblong, 8-10 × 5-7 mm; stamens numerous; filaments free; anthers oblong. Pistillate flowers: pedicel 2-2.5 cm; tepals 5, pink, unequal, obovate to suborbicular, 5-11 × 3-9 mm, glabrous; ovary elliptic, ca. 7 × 5 mm, glabrous, 3-loculed; placentae axile, bilamellate; styles 3, free; stigmas U-shaped, slightly spiraled. Capsule pendulous, oblong to obovoid-oblong, unequally 3-winged; abaxial wing triangular or obliquely so, 1.2-1.4(-1.9) cm; lateral wings 3-4 mm, rarely absent or reduced to very narrow lamellae. Fl. Aug-Oct, fr. Sep-Nov.

SE Xizang, W Yunnan.

● Broad-leaved forests, mixed broad-leaved and coniferous forests, along streams, rocky slopes; (1500-)1800-3400 m.