Lyonia libanensis Urb.
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Authority
1925. Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 22: 43.
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Family
Ericaceae
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Scientific Name
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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).
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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.
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Discussion
Illustration Judd (1995), fig. 20.