Lyonia santiagoana, nueva especie de Ericaceae para Cuba

Lyonia santiagoana is described as a new specie for Cuban flora endemic to the coastal hills between Mar Verde and Baconao, Santiago de Cuba. The new species is the only Lyonia from Cuba that occurs in subcoastal xerofitic shrubwood. The species is closed related to L. glandulosa from which it can be distinguished by its adaxial leaf surface persistent sparcely lepidote, smooth and lustrous, flowers mostly 5-meras, bigger corollas 5-6 mm long., pedicel articulate with calyx, and capsule to 3-3,5 mm wide. The new key for the identification of Lyonia species in Cuba is presented. Received: April 2019 Accepted: June 2019