Authority:

Luteyn, James L., et al. 1995. Ericaceae, Part II. The Superior-Ovaried Genera (Monotropoideae, Pyroloideae, Rhododendroideae, and Vaccinioideae P.P.). Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 66: 560. (Published by NYBG Press)

Family:

Ericaceae

Synonyms:

Lyonia elata Urb., Lyonia leonis Acuña & Roíg, Xolisma calycosa Small, Lyonia calycosa (Small) Urb., Lyonia latifolia subsp. calycosa (Small) Borhidi

Description:

Subspecies Description - Leaf blades elliptic to ovate or obovate, 3.5-7 (-9.5) cm long; base narrowly to broadly cuneate (rounded), sometimes decurrent; adaxial surface with midvein not depressed, 2° veins usually not depressed; abaxial surface with 3° and higher-order veins ± flat or nearly so and obscure to slightly and laxly reticulate; petiole (7-)8-20 mm long, pubescent adaxially or all around. Pedicels 4-10 mm long. Flowers with calyx lobes (2.5-)3.5-6(-6.5) mm long.

Discussion:

Lyonia latifolia is rather distinctive because of the beautiful yellowish gold peltate scales that densely cover the young leaves, the long-urceolate corollas, and both surfaces of the very elongated calyx lobes. It is probably most closely related to L. obtusa, L. longipes, L. nipensis, and L. macrophylla (and possibly also the elevationally isolated L. affinis). Lyonia affinis has calyx lobes that are shorter and that are not adaxially lepidote, corollas that are more or less cylindrical and more sparsely lepidote, and leaves that are differently shaped (Judd, 1981).

Lyonia latifolia var. calycosa can be differentiated from var. latifolia by its leaves, which are often relatively narrower and without depressed secondary veins, and by its usually longer petioles and pedicels.

Although the varieties are geographically isolated from each other (Fig. 20B), they both occur on Loma del Gato. Here the two are quite similar, and it is not known whether this pattern results from primary or secondary intergradation (Judd, 1981; Berazaín, 1985).

Plants of Lyonia latifolia var. latifolia at 1800-2000 m often have smaller leaves with only very slightly depressed secondary veins and the abaxial surface with a fine network of raised veins. Such plants have been called L. turquini by Small (1922) and Roig and Acuna (1957), but there is no morphological break between these plants and those of lower elevations. Although most plants of this variety are densely pubescent on the abaxial leaf surface, occasional individuals- e.g., Ekman 5279 and Ekman 9262- are only very sparsely pubescent.

Lyonia latifolia var. calycosa is quite variable in leaf shape, especially in apex and base type. However, plants with rounded, acute, or strongly acuminate leaf apices, and rounded to narrowly cuneate or attenuate bases have all been collected from the geographically limited Gran Piedra range. As with var. latifolia, there is a tendency for some plants to have only a very sparse covering of unicellular hairs on the abaxial leaf surface (Judd, 1981).

Distribution:

Cuba South America|