Begonia melanobullata, the Vietnamese black peak begonia or Vietnam ferox, is a species of flowering plant in the family Begoniaceae, native to Vietnam. It was first documented in limestone karst areas across the Sino-Vietnamese border.
Begonia melanobullata is noteworthy for having hair-tipped, dark-colored conical bullae across the upper leaf surface. It has red flower stalks, and red-streaked, green tinted flowers and seed capsules. It is very similar to Begonia ferox and Begonia nahangensis but differs in size and leaf shape. +Comparison of Begonia melanobullata with B. ferox and B. nahangensisB. melanobullataB. feroxB. nahangensisStipuleLength1.4–2.5 cm1–1.7 cm0.4–0.6 cmLeafApexAcuminateAcuminateObtuse to nearly roundedShapeWidely ovate to widely ellipticOvateBroadly oblique-ovate or oblique-reniformConical bullae on upper surfacePresent on all leaves; erect hairs tipping bullae persistentProgressively developed on leaves as the plant matures; hairs on bullae soon deciduousUnknownInflorescencePeduncle length (cm)15–385–13(8–) 10–12 (−14)Male flowerTepal colorGreenishPale pinkish-yellowWhite to light pinkTepal size (mm)Outer 6–9 × 7–9, inner 5–7 × 3–4Outer 9–11 × 6–11, inner 7–11 × 4Outer 8–9 in diam., inner 8–9 × 2.5–3.5Anther length (mm)0.5–0.8Ca. 1Ca. 0.5Female flowerTepal colorYellowish-pinkishPinkish-whiteLight olive-greenTepal size (mm)Outer 7–8 × 7–8, inner 4–6 × 2–3Outer 8–11 × 7–11 mm, inner 8–9 × 3–4Outer (4.5) 5–6 (7) × (8) 9–11 (12) mm, inner 5–6 × 3–3.CapsuleSize1.2–1.9 cm long; abaxial wing crescent-shaped, 0.5–0.7 cm wide1–1.5 cm long; abaxial wing crescent-shaped, 0.6–0.9 cm wide0.8–1 cm long; abaxial wing oblique-triangular, 0.4 cm wideDistributionNorthern VietnamGuangxi, ChinaNorthern Vietnam
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