TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A team of researchers from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) has successfully described a new species of Begonia from West Sumatra, named Begonia hattae. The name 'hattae' is derived from Mohammad Hatta, the first Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia.
The new species was discovered in the Sago Halaban hill area in the Lima Puluh Kota Regency. The research also confirmed the rediscovery of Begonia halabanensis, Begonia goegoensis, and Begonia longipedunculata in their natural habitat.
Additionally, the team recorded the presence of Begonia lilliputana, thereby expanding the distribution range of Begonia lilliputana, which was previously only known to originate from the Gunung Leuser National Park in Aceh.
The team, consisting of Muhammad Efendi and Intani Quarta Lailaty from the Center for Applied Botanical Research, Wisnu Handoyo Ardi from the Center for Biosystematics and Evolution Research, and Yudi Suhendri from the Directorate of Scientific Collections Management at BRIN, published their research findings in the international journal Taprobanica Volume 15 Number 2 in 2026, in an article titled A New Begonia Species (Begoniaceae) and Three Rediscoveries from West Sumatra.
"The discovery of Begonia hattae indicates that the West Sumatra region still holds very important floral richness that needs to be documented and preserved," stated Efendi in a press release on Monday, July 26, 2026.
The discovery began with field explorations in 2022-2023 in several areas in West Sumatra, including Padang, Solok, Sijunjung, Tanah Datar, Payakumbuh, Lima Puluh Kota, and West Pasaman. During the survey, the team collected seeds, herbarium specimens, and living collections, which were then cultivated at the Cibodas Botanic Gardens.
These collections were then intensively observed to study morphological characteristics, including flowers and fruits, in order to confirm the identity and taxonomic status of each discovered species. As a result, the team successfully described Begonia hattae as a new species and confirmed the rediscovery of several other species.
Efendi explained that the discovery indicates the immense potential for exploring Indonesian flora, especially in the Sumatra region, known as one of the centers of Begonia diversity in the world.
Morphologically, Begonia hattae bears similarities to Begonia raoensis. However, it can be distinguished by the number of tepals in male and female flowers, leaf shape, the absence of hair forming a ring at the end of the leaf petiole, and a lesser number of stamens.
Efendi added that the location where Begonia hattae was found, along with several other endemic Begonia species, is situated in the limestone forest ecosystem in the Halaban area, which is currently facing pressure due to mining activities. "This finding not only adds to the list of Indonesian flora species but also serves as a reminder that the natural habitat of endemic plants requires serious attention," he stated.
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