Karakteristik Morfologi dan Anatomi Beberapa Spesies dan Kultivar Begonia Serta Analisis Hubungan Kekerabatannya

Abstract

The distinctive asymmetric leaf, fleshy jointed stem, and showy flower are several common characters belongs to genus Begonia. Indonesia has more than 200 species Begonia which spread in Java, Sumatera, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and Papua islands. Morphological and anatomical characters can be used to identify, classify, and determine plants relationship. The aims of this research were to identify morphological and anatomical characters of 11 species and cultivars of Begonia and to determine their relationship. Nine species and cultivars were successfully identified, while two species could not be identified. Seven species were identified as B. acetosa, B. bowerae. B. listada, B. thelmae, B. semperflorens, B. maculata, and B. lepida, while two cultivars could be identified as B. Argenteo-Gutata “Fanfare” and B. “Orpha C. Fox”. Study on morphological characters of 11 species and cultivars obtained six similar characters including simple leaf, alternate leaf arrangement, asymmetric leaf blade base, axillary’s inflorescence, and unisexual flower. Based on paradermal section, there were individual stomata, stomatal cluster, and both individual and stomatal cluster in leaves of Begonia. Begonia listada had the smallest stomatal size (35.0 x 22.9 μm) while B. maculata had the biggest (46.7 x 30.4 μm). Begonia “Orpha C. Fox” had the lowest stomatal density (23.2/mm2), while Begonia sp. 1 had the highest (108.7/mm2). Observation on transversal section showed that B. lepida had the smallest leaf thickness (162.5 μm) while B. listada had the highest (433.3 μm). The results of hierarchical cluster analysis based on morphological, anatomical, or both characters showed different patterns of relationship.