Lyonia elliptica (C.Wright ex Small) Alain
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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)
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Family
Ericaceae
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Scientific Name
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Type
Type. Cuba. Oriente: Monte Verde, in dense woods, 18 Jul [probably 1860 or 1861], C. Wright 2197, in part [holotype, NY; isotypes, GH, GOET, L (frag, from P), P, S, UC].
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Synonyms
Xolisma elliptica C.Wright ex Small
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Description
Species Description - Evergreen shrub or slender tree to ca. 2-9 m tall, bark not seen; twigs moderately angled, slender, moderately lepidote, otherwise glabrous to sparsely pubescent; buds ovoid, 1-2 × 0.8-1.3 mm. Leaf blades elliptic to ovate, 3-7.3 × 1.2-3.6(-5.2) cm, ± flat, coriaceous, ca. 0.25-0.3 mm thick; base narrowly cuneate to rounded; apex slightly acuminate or acute, to rounded or truncate; margin plane to slightly re volute, apical portion entire to very obscurely toothed, basal portion ± entire; venation brochidodromous, 3° veins reticulate; adaxial surface lepidote but scales usually quickly deciduous, with sparse to moderate pubescence on midvein, especially basal portion, sometimes extending to 2° veins, the 3° and higher-order veins usually visible, the 2° veins often clearly connected in series of arches, not depressed; abaxial surface moderately lepidote, otherwise densely pubescent, the 3° and higher-order veins ± flat, slightly and laxly reticulate to obscure, the 2° veins usually visible and slightly raised; scales rust colored, becoming whitish with age, usually persistent, ca. 0.08-0.23 mm in diam., erose to nearly entire; petiole 4-6 mm long, lepidote, otherwise pubescent adaxially or all around; flower buds ± intermixed with vegetative buds. Inflorescences fasciculate, ca. 5-10-flowered; pedicels clearly articulated with calyx, slender, 4.5-7.5 mm long, lepidote, with scales light orange to whitish, otherwise glabrous to sparsely pubescent; bracteoles subopposite, basal or nearly so, narrowly triangular, 0.51.2 mm long; floral bracts to ca. 2 mm long. Flowers 4(-5)-merous; calyx lobes triangular, with acuminate apices, 1-1.7 × 0.6-1.3 mm, adaxial side sparsely pubescent, especially near apex, abaxial side lepidote, otherwise usually sparsely pubescent near base; corolla ± cylindrical (long-urceolate?), white, 4-5.5 × 2-3 mm, adaxially sparsely lepidote; filaments roughened, 2.5-3.5 mm long, unappendaged or with minute spurs near anther-filament junction; anthers 0.6-1.1 mm long; ovary lepidote, otherwise pubescent, placentae ± subapical. Capsules long-ovoid with ± straight sides, (5-)6-7.5 × 1.5-3(-3.5) mm, sparsely lepidote, otherwise sparsely pubescent, especially near base, with pale, very thick sutures separating as unit from adjacent valves; seeds 2.5-3.5 mm long.
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Discussion
Lyonia elliptica is poorly represented by herbarium material and has often been taxonomically misunderstood (see Judd, 1981). Only five collections are known: two early collections by Charles Wright and three recent collections made in connection with the Flora of Cuba Project (see Berazaín, 1985). There is very little information about its ecology, and even that given in the description above will probably be modified if the plant is ever studied in the field. Lyonia elliptica is possibly related to L. affinis, from which it differs in its usually 4-merous flowers and in its narrower, long-ovoid capsules. It has sometimes been confused with L. trinidadensis (Judd, 1981).
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Objects
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Distribution
Cuba, prov. Oriente, near Santa Catalina (Monte Toro), Monte Verde, and Guantánamo. Dense woods and thickets in mountains.
Cuba South America|