Begonia hitchcockii
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Begonia hitchcockii faces severe pressure from deforestation and agricultural expansion across its limited range in the Philippines. The species' restriction to specific microhabitats within lowland and montane forests makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation. Mining activities and infrastructure development have further reduced available habitat, while the species' narrow ecological requirements limit its ability to adapt to disturbed environments.
Habitat
This endemic begonia inhabits the understory of primary and secondary tropical forests in the Philippines, typically growing on moist, shaded slopes and rocky outcrops. It occurs in both lowland and lower montane forest zones, requiring specific humidity and light conditions found in intact forest ecosystems.
