From the Begonian, September/October 2014 by Joanne Tan Pei Chih, Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia Begonia nurii, A Limestone Species from Peninsular Malaysia,

“In the Malaysia Red List, Begonia nurii is categorized as Vulnerable (VU) because it is confined to limestone hills in the state of Kelantan and NW Pahang. It usually grows on cool shaded cliff faces covered by a thin layer of soil, decomposed leaf litter and mosses. Edgar Irmscher, the renowned begonia taxonomist, named this begonia species in honour of  Mohamed Nur bin Mohamed Ghous, who collected the Begonia nurii type specimen with F. W. Foxworthy in 1924. Mohamed Nur was the Herbarium Assistant and Plant Collector in Singapore Botanic Gardens…”

“The Begonia nurii variants encountered included leaves either dark green, green, or green with yellow-green blotches between veins or even bronze-green similar to those of Begonia rajah. Some populations had rounded blades, while others appeared slightly asymmetric with an obtuse tip. The degree of leaf rugosity also varied, but all had venation impressed above and prominent beneath. The leaves were usually glabrous above and hairy beneath. However, we also found populations with short hairs on both sides. All Begonia nurii observed have pale red to red petioles covered with dense soft hairs, creating a pretty contrast of colour and texture to the leaf blade.”

“Begonia nurii is narrowly distributed on limestone hills within two states; but each particular variant only grows on a single hill. This means that very rare variants are especially vulnerable to habitat disturbance or degradation…Peninsular Malaysia’s limestone hills are mostly not legally protected, quarrying is the main threat…”