Lyonia libanensis Urb.

  • Authority

    1925. Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 22: 43.

  • Family

    Ericaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Lyonia libanensis Urb.

  • Type

    Type: Cuba. Oriente: nr. Guantánamo, in Monte Libano toward San Fernandez, ca. 700 m, 24 Dec 1919, Ekman 10266 (holotype, S; frag. of holotype, NY).

  • Description

    Species Description - Buds ovoid, 1-1.8 x 0.8-1.1 mm. Leaf blades elliptic to ovate or slightly obovate, 1.2-4.5(-6) x 0.8-3(-3.5) cm, ± flat; base cuneate to rounded or slightly cordate; margin plane to slightly revolute (± strongly revolute); adaxial surface with midvein ± flat or only slightly depressed, the 2o veins obscure to visible and flat, forming ± acute angle with midvein; abaxial surface usually densely pubescent (sparsely pubescent near margin or apex); scales usually ± erose, usually deciduous; petiole (2.5-)3-7.5 mm long. Flowers with calyx lobes 1.6-3(-4) x 1-2 mm; corolla 4.5-8 x 3-4.7 mm; filaments 2.5-4 mm long; anthers 1.2-1.6 mm long. Capsules 4-9 x 4.5-7 mm.

    Distribution and Ecology - Endemic to Cuba (Prov. Oriente, Sierra de Nipe, Sierra de Cristal, on Monte Libano, and on plateau near Moa), in moist forests ("monte"), thickets ("Charrascal"), and open forests of Pinus cubensis ("pinar"), at ca. 300-1000 m elev. Flowering mainly February through May.

  • Discussion

    Illustration Judd (1995), fig. 20.