Begonia kingiana

Begonia kingiana is a creeping rhizomatous herb. Rhizomes are elongate, glabrous (hairless), around 30 cm long and 4–5 mm in diameter. Stipules are reddish and without hairs. Leaves are ovate to oval in shape, asymmetric, peltate, succulent and glabrous on both sides. The base of the leaves are obliquely rounded, the tips of the leaves are tail-like, and the margins are mostly smooth and regular. Venation is palmate, with 7–9 branched lateral veins that are slightly impressed above and prominent beneath. These leaves can vary in appearance, from green, plain dull dark green, grey-green or almost black in color dorsally with visible veins on the surface and white, pale red or red in color beneath to being variegated brownish between paler veins from above and purple beneath. Inflorescences arise from the rhizome and are bisexual, with male and female flowers growing on the same place on the plant (monoecy). Inflorescences are also protandrous; male flowers bloom earlier than female flowers. Male flower buds were observed requiring 12 days to fully open where they then drop off after three days. Female flowers, however, take around 15 days and last approximately three to six days, leaving a nine day gap between the male and female flowers. …

In Peninsular Malaysia, Begonia kingiana is distributed widely throughout the region, albeit confined to limestone cliffs where it is often found growing in partial shade and cool humid conditions. Natural populations of this species are found from northern states like Kedah (Langkawi Island) and Perak, the eastern states of Kelantan and Terengganu, to as far south as the states of Pahang and Selangor. However, in Thailand, particularly Peninsular Thailand, it is found growing on granitic rocks in seasonally dry evergreen forests at an altitude of around 200 m. It is recorded to flower in June and fruit in November.

Threats. B. kingiana is threatened by limestone quarrying for cement and marble, including clearing of land via burning for agriculture or development. It is classified as endangered by the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia.