A New Species of Begonia Sect. Gobenia (Begoniaceae) from Colombia and Ecuador

Begonia callistemon Tebbitt & P. R. Stevenson, a new species of Begonia L. sect. Gobenia A. DC. (Begoniaceae) from Colombia and Ecuador, is described and illustrated. Begonia callistemon is compared with B. hitchcockii Irmsch., the only other species within section Gobenia that shares a large, showy androecium resembling the head of a bottle brush. Begonia callistemon is distinguished from this species by its basifixed leaf blades; pubescent stems, peduncles, and pedicels; narrower outer tepals in staminate flowers; fewer stamens; and pistillate flowers with five tepals.