A New Orchid Species from the Keys of Central Cuba and a Checklist of Cuban Encyclia (Orchidaceae, Laeliinae)

Abstract

Abstract—A new orchid species, Encyclia sabanensis, is described and illustrated. The new taxon is compared with a large group of species of Encyclia from the Caribbean. The distribution, ecology, and conservation status of E. sabanensis are briefly discussed. A general field key for identifying 24 Encyclia species that has been reported for Cuba is offered. The key is coupled with the diagrams of the labellum of 23 species.

Full text

Systematic Botany (2014), 39(4)
©Copyright 2014 by the American Society of Plant Taxonomists
DOI 10.1600/036364414X684380
Date of publication September 10, 2014
A New Orchid Species from the Keys of Central Cuba and a Checklist
of Cuban Encyclia (Orchidaceae, Laeliinae)
A
´ngel Vale,
1,6
Rafael A. Pe
´rez-Obrego
´n,
2
Michel Faife-Cabrera,
1,2
Julio C. A
´lvarez,
3
and Danny Rojas
4,5
1
Departamento de Biologı
´a Vegetal, Universidad de Vigo, Campus Lagoas-Marcosende, CP 36 200, Vigo, Espan
˜a.
2
Centro de Estudios Jardı
´n Bota
´nico de Villa Clara, Universidad Central Marta Abreu de Las Villas,
CP 54 830, Santa Clara, Cuba.
3
Herbario Nacional de Cuba (HAC) Dr. “Onaney Mun
˜iz”, Instituto de Ecologı
´a y Sistema
´tica, CP 10 800, La Habana, Cuba.
4
Department of Biology and Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
5
Department of Ecology and Evolution, Stony Brook University, 650 Life Sciences Building Stony Brook,
New York 11794, U. S. A.
6
Author for correspondence (avg.vale@gmail.com)
Abstract—A new orchid species, Encyclia sabanensis, is described and illustrated. The new taxon is compared with a large group of
species of Encyclia from the Caribbean. The distribution, ecology, and conservation status of E. sabanensis are briefly discussed. A general
field key for identifying 24 Encyclia species that has been reported for Cuba is offered. The key is coupled with the diagrams of the
labellum of 23 species.
Keywords—Caribbean, field key, Jardines del Rey, orchid, Sabana-Camagu
¨ey archipelago, tribe Epidendreae.
With more than 150 species, Encyclia Hook is one of
the largest genera of orchids in the Neotropical subtribe
Laeliinae (van den Berg and Carnevali 2005). New species
and natural hybrids of taxa in this genus are constantly being
published (e.g. Pupulin and Mu
´jica 2005; Rodrı
´guez-Seijo
´
et al. 2009; Vale and Rojas 2011; Pe
´rez-Garcı
´a and Ha
´gsater
2012; Leopardi et al. 2012; Bastos et al. 2012). The genus is
diverse in seasonal environments, particularly in those areas
ranging from sea level to 1,500 m (Pupulin 1998; Leopardi
et al. 2012). In Neotropical regions, these environments have
been more intensely affected by habitat loss and deforesta-
tion (Aide et al. 2013). In addition to habitat conservation
issues, populations of Encyclia species have been overexploited
due to the intense illegal collection given their economic value
as ornamental plants (Sosa and Platas 1998). These factors have
caused entire populations to be classified as threatened (Sosa
and Platas 1998; Flores-Palacios and Valencia-Dı
´az 2007).
Under these circumstances, it is critical to conduct a rigorous
taxonomic update of the genus if we aim at preserving its
phylogenetic diversity.
In general, the genus Encyclia, as defined by Schlechter
(1915) and confirmed by Higgins et al. (2003) and van den
Berg et al. (2009), has a uniform vegetative habit (Leopardi
et al. 2012). The plants are usually caespitose and have short
internodes that connect ovoid to pyriform pseudobulbs. Each
pseudobulb bears one to four articulate fleshy leaves and a
single terminal paniculate inflorescence (Leopardi et al.
2012). In contrast, the flowers are variable among species,
within species, and populations (Llamacho and Larramendi
2005; Pupulin and Bogarı
´n 2011). Variation has been described
between years for the same individual (Pupulin and Bogarı
´n
2011). This floral diversity seems to be linked to pollination by
food-deception and mainly mediated by different sizes of bees
(Janzen et al. 1980; Dı
´az and Vale 2001). Flowers are usually
resupinate, with a trilobed labellum mostly free from the
column, a combination useful to distinguish Encyclia from
Prosthechea Knowles & Westc. (Higgins et al. 2003).
The ecological and taxonomical diversity of Encyclia is
remarkably high in mainland areas of Mexico, Mesoamerica,
northern South America, and Brazil (Leopardi et al. 2012).
Comparatively, and despite its smaller geographical exten-
sion, the Caribbean archipelagos of Cuba and the Bahamas
have a much higher density of species of Encyclia (Sauleda and
Adams 1984; Nir 2000). Both archipelagos include around
35 species, and they form an important speciation center for
the genus, with many local endemics or species limited to only
a few islands (Sauleda and Adams 1984; Nir 2000; Espero
´n
and Sauleda 2012; Ackerman 2012). The great ecological diver-
sification of Encyclia in Cuba is evidenced by such special-
ized taxa as E. grisebachiana (Cogn.) Acun
˜aandE. pyriformis
(Lindley) Acun
˜a, two epiphytes that grow only or mainly on
particular species of palm trees, an uncommon phenomenon
among Neotropical orchids (Acun
˜a 1938; Nir 2000). Similarly,
E. moebusii H. Dietr. only grows on outcroppings of ultramafic
rocks in Central and Eastern Cuba (Llamacho and Larramendi
2005). Other species, such as E. triangulifera (Rchb. f.) Acun
˜a
and E. bocourtii Mu
´j. Benı
´tez & Pupulin, only occur in a single,
dry Cuban landscape (Acun
˜a 1938; Pupulin and Mu
´jica-
Benı
´tez 2005).
In this paper, we describe and illustrate a new Cuban
species of Encyclia. Although this species appears to be a
generalist in the trees it uses as phorophytes, it is probably
confined to karstic sea-level ecosystems of a few northern
keys of Cuba. We also provide a key to identify all described
species of the genus Encyclia in Cuba.
Materials and Methods
Live plants were studied in situ and ex situ. We also examined dry
specimens of all the main Caribbean species of Encyclia from the herbaria
AMES, HAC, HBJN, HPPR, JE, USJ, W, K, L, MO, MA, NY, P, S, SANT,
ULV, and UPRRP. Acronyms for the herbaria follow the Index
Herbariorum (Thiers 2013, continuously updated). The dry specimens
included most holotypes and isotypes of the Cuban and Bahamian spe-
cies of interest (see Appendix S1 for a list of the names excluded in this
study for Cuba). The vegetative and floral habit of all species (including
the new taxa), as well as their geographical distribution, were determined
from the specimens mentioned above and from a thorough literature
review. In addition, four to fifteen flowers per species were collected in
situ across Cuba and were preserved in 70% ethanol with a few drops of
glycerin. Measurements were taken on these flowers to compare the floral
morphology among the Cuban species. We measured the length, the
width (proximal, median, and distal), and the height of all floral seg-
ments, the pedicelate ovary, column, and lateral and mid lobes of the
labellum. These measurements (n = 13 flowers, one per each individual

of the new taxon) were performed with a digital caliper with a measuring
error of ± 0.01 mm.
We assessed the conservation status of the new species with the data
available from fieldwork in these keys from 2001–2013, and following
the recommendations of the IUCN (IUCN 2012).
Taxonomic Treatment
Encyclia sabanensis Vale, Pe
´rez-Obr. & Faife sp. nov.—
TYPE:CUBA. Caibarie
´n: Cayo Santa Marı
´a, matorral
xeromorformo costero y subcostero sobre arena
humidificada. 05 july 2013. Pe
´rez-Obrego
´n 10593 (holo-
type: ULV!; isotypes: HAC!, HBJN!, SANT!-in spirit).
Similar to Encyclia phoenicea (Lindley) Neumann and E.
plicata (Lindley) Britton & Millspaugh, but differing from
these for having a smaller labellum, with a length less than
three quarters of the labellum length of these species; label-
lum minutely verrucose, entirely white, with the lateral lobes
always straight when extended, as opposed to distally arched
in E. phoenicea and strongly arched in E. plicata.
Epiphytic herb erect, caespitose, 38–145 cm tall. Rhizome
hidden among the pseudobulbs, cylindrical, and covered
by scarious sheaths. Roots terete, 1–3 mm across, white
with green tips. Pseudobulbs conic to ovoid 3–7 cm tall,
1.5– 3.5 cm in diameter. Leaves 1–2( – 3), conduplicate, linear-
lanceolate, coriaceous, arched and sub-twisted, acute
to apiculate, with smooth to minutely irregular margins,
10– 45 cm long
+
1.5– 3 cm wide, rough on the upper
side. Inflorescence, an erect raceme or panicle 2–3(– 4)
branched, basal portion of the peduncle with 2–15 deltoid
adpressed bracts of 14.5
+
9.5 mm, bases of branches with
bracts amplexicaul, scarious 4–6
+
6– 8 mm. Scape and
rachis 30–150 cm high, with 6–35 flowers opening pro-
gressively, flowers spaced 2–4.5 cm. Floral bracts cucullate-
amplexicaul, broadly ovate, obtuse, squamiform, 2–3 mm
long. Flowers 2.0– 3.5 cm across. Pedunculate ovary, rugose
to verrucose, slightly arched, 7.5– 8.5
+
1.6–1.7 mm. Tepals
variable in color (from greenish yellow to pale yellowish
green) striped partially to almost entirely in deep brown to
maroon. Sometimes petals and sepals are similarly immacu-
late at the margins, but sometimes the sepals are slightly
maculated while the petals are deeply spotted toward their
distal half. Sepals concave, usually broader than petals.
Dorsal sepal 20–24 mm
+
4.5– 6.6 mm, 7 – 8-nerved; lat-
eral sepals straight and symmetrical to slightly oblique
and asymmetrical, 20– 22.4 mm
+
5.5–7 mm, 7 or 8(–10)-
nerved. Sepals with their bases much broader than petals.
Petals obovate-spatulate basally very narrow, 7-nerved,
much more flattened and less thick than sepals, acute,
usually acuminate and rarely apiculate, 18.6–21.6 mm
long, 4.5–6.6 mm wide. Labellum trilobed 17–20.7 mm
long, completely white except for purple to indigo lines
(sometimes spots) in the central and proximal part of the
midlobe. Lateral lobes oblong, pure white, rarely some-
what apically pinkish, smooth, 9.7– 13.8
+
4.2– 7.6 mm. In
its natural position, both lateral lobes wrap the column,
and their extremes often protect the distal portion of the
column, but usually without being in close contact with
each other. Callus 7–8 mm long with two divergent
remarkable keels (5– 5.5
+
1.7– 2.3 mm) and a central canal
distally expanded forming a distal fovea well connected
with the mid lobe surface. This fovea often continues as a
shallow channel that crosses the midlobe along its central
axis (which sometimes is flanked by two other parallel
shorter channels). Isthmus verrucose 14.5 – 21
+
2.8–4.6 mm.
Midlobe 9.5–12.3
+
9– 14.6 mm suborbicular; mainly trun-
cated at its base. Midlobe centrally verrucose with the
apex slightly emarginated and the margins from both sides
connivent. Column sub-triagonal, straight, broader and
winged at stigma level, ventrally canaliculate, white, with
basal pinkish spots. The column is 10.5–12.4 mm long. Its
width varies from 4.0– 5.0 mm (at the level of the stigma) to
2.3– 3.1 mm (at its base). Maximum width of the column
(at the level of the auricles) is 3.5–5.0 mm while the mini-
mum width (near its base) is 1.5– 1.9 mm. Column auricles
obtuse 1.0–3.6 mm
+
1.2–3 mm. Clinandrium roof forming
three triangular auricles, one centrally and two laterally.
Stigmatic cavity rectangular-obovate, viscous, 2.1–3.4
+
2.2–2.9 mm, bi-lobed. Anther cap fleshy, pyramidal-quadrate,
tetra-locular, white, rarely pinkish, 2.3
+
4.6 mm. Pollinarium
1.0–1.2
+
1.4–1.6 mm. Pollinia four, equal, compressed later-
ally, yellow, 0.9–1.0
+
0.6–0.7 mm, joined to a granulose
caudicle. Fruit a cylindrical capsule, ovate to oblong, verru-
cose, 3.3
+
1.5 cm. Figures 1, 2a.
Diagnostic Features—The species described here can be
distinguished from the large-flowered Cuban species of
Encyclia with a caespitose habit (i.e. E. plicata, E. phoenicea,
E. pyriformis, and E. oblongata) because it has smaller flowers
compared to those species (Figs. 2, 3). The labellum of
E. sabanensis is less than three quarters of the length of the
labella of E. phoenicea,E. pyriformis, and E. oblongata;and
nearly two thirds of the length of the labellum of E. plicata.
In addition, the distal margin of the lateral lobes of
E. sabanensis forms an angle less than 50with the central
axis of the labellum. This angle is generally ³50in
E. plicata,E. phoenicea,E. pyriformis, and E. oblongata (Fig. 3).
The latter species can also be distinguished from E. sabanensis
(and the species mentioned above) by its linear lateral lobes
and yellow orange anther cap (Figs. 2, 3).
Of all the Cuban species of Encyclia with medium-sized
flowers, the new species has a rounded midlobe, while
E. acutifolia and E. bocourtii display a much longer than
broad midlobe (Fig. 3). In addition, E. sabanensis has a
white to pink anther cap, whereas in E. acutifolia the anther
cap ranges from yellow to orange. The lateral lobes of
E. sabanensis are sub-acute to apiculate (and rolled), while
those of E. acutifolia are rounded or apically truncated (with
their apices disposed backwards forming two screens in a
plane orthogonal to the mid lobe plane). The new species
can be distinguished from E. bipapularis and E. moebusii
because these two species have three teeth at the base of
the midlobe, whereas E. sabanensis has two (see Fig. 3).
Encyclia navarroi and E. sabanensis differ markedly in the
shape of their lateral lobes, which form a right triangle
in the former and an irregular and much enlarged ellipse
in the latter. Additionally, E. navarroi lacks the two con-
spicuous teeth E. sabanensis has in the base of the midlobe.
Another medium-sized species of Eastern Cuba, E. howardii,
differs from E. sabanensis and the other Cuban species by its
lateral lobes being as large as the midlobe (see Fig. 3). Addi-
tionally, E. sabanensis has flowers much larger compared to
those of E. fucata,E. rosariensis, E. monteverdensis, E. oxypetala,
and E. triangulifera. It also differs from E. triangulifera, by lack-
ing the erose leaf margin typical of this last species.
The areas occupied by Encyclia sabanensis have a great flo-
ristic affinity with the Bahamian archipelago (Noa et al.
SYSTEMATIC BOTANY [Volume 39

Fig. 1. Encyclia sabanensis Vale, Pe
´rez-Obr. & Faife sp. nov. (from the holotype and other specimens of the same locality, drawn by A. Vale). A. Plant
habit. B-C. Flower in frontal and lateral view. D. Detail of labellum and column with tepals removed. E-F. Anther cap in dorsal and ventral view.
G. Pollinarium. H-J. Detail of the column in dorsal, ventral and lateral view. K. Mature fruit before dehiscence. L. Flower segments. Scale bars = 1cm.
2014] VALE ET AL.: A NEW CUBAN SPECIES OF ENCYCLIA

2001). The Cuban and Bahamian archipelagos share some
Encyclia species, such as E. plicata, E. altissima, and probably
E. rufa (Espero
´n and Sauleda 2012). In consequence, we also
compared the new taxon with the Bahamian species. Encyclia
sabanensis can be distinguished from E. altissima and E. rufa,
which are larger in size and have larger pseudobulbs. The
differences with E. plicata were already mentioned (see
above). Also, we found that E. felhingii and E. tampensis are
similar to E. sabanensis in color and size, but they display
much branched inflorescences compared to E. sabanensis,
with the first branch occurring more proximately in these
species than in the new taxon. Also, E. felhingii has smaller
flowers (two thirds of the size of the flowers of E. sabanensis)
and three evident teeth at the end of its disc (while E.
sabanensis has only two). In addition, E. felhingii has much
larger pedicels, which are more than twice as long as the
column, while in the new taxon the pedicel is less than twice
as long as the column. Encyclia tampensis also has a disk
ending in two teeth as in E. sabanensis, but its flowers are
much smaller (nearly half) than the new species.
Distribution and Ecology—Our surveys based on both
herbarium collection and field observations indicate that,
Encyclia sabanensis occurs only in some northern keys of the
central part of Cuba (namely Cayo Santa Marı
´a, Cayo Las
Fig. 2. Comparison of Encyclia sabanensis Vale, Pe
´rez-Obr. & Faife sp. nov.with some of the other median-to-large flowered Cuban species of
Encyclia. A. Flower of E. sabanensis in frontal view. B. Karstic habitat of E. sabanensis in the northern keys of Cuba. C. E. acutifolia Schltr. D. E. bipapularis
(Rchb. f.) Acun
˜a. E. E. bocourtii Mu
´j.Benı
´tez & Pupulin. F. E. pyriformis (Lindl.) Schltr. G. E. moebusii H. Dietr. H. E. navarroi Vale & D. Rojas. I. E. phoenicea
(Lindl.) Neum. J. E. plicata (Lindl.) Britton & Millsp. K. Encyclia oblongata (A. Rich.) Acun
˜a.
SYSTEMATIC BOTANY [Volume 39

Brujas, Cayo Tı
´o Pepe, Cayo Coco, and Cayo Guillermo). All
of them belong to the “Sabana-Camagu
¨ey Archipelago” also
known as “Jardines del Rey” (King’s Gardens). The species
occurs near sea level, from 0–20 m, mostly in microphyllous
evergreen forests and to a lesser extent on the coastal
xeromorphic thickets. In these ecosystems, this orchid grows
on a wide range of phorophytes including Guaiacum sanctum
L. (Zygophyllaceae), Sideroxylon americanum (Mill.) T. D.
(Sapotaceae), Reynosia septentrionalis Urb. (Rhamnaceae),
Coccothrinax littoralis Leo
´n (Arecaceae), Citharexylum fruticosum
L. (Verbenaceae), Laguncularia racemosa C. F. Gaertn.
(Verbenaceae), and Metopium toxiferum (L.) Krug & Urb.
(Anacardiaceae). The flowering season mainly ranges from
July to August.
Conservation Assessment—This orchid occurs on small,
low islands and only in a few limited dry vegetation
patches. This makes the species especially susceptible to
meteorological events frequent in the Caribbean region
(Rodrı
´guez-Robles et al. 1990; Vale et al. 2013). In addi-
tion, only in the last 20 yr have these habitat patches
been altered by human activity (due to the construction
of roads over the sea that interconnect the keys with
Cuban mainland). This drastic environmental alteration
and extensive development in this region is causing rapid
loss, impoverishment and fragmentation of the habitats
occupied by the species. Furthermore, the showiness and
easy cultivation requirements of this plant make it vul-
nerable to the illegal collection and commerce of wild
specimens, reinforced in Cuba by the absence of orchid
market facilities based on in vitro culture (Vale et al.
2013). In this context, the conservation of the few known
populations of E. sabanensis deserves special attention.
In addition, a few individuals with intermediate floral attri-
butes between this species and E. plicata suggest that both
orchids could be hybridizing (i.e. a few individuals more
similar to E. sabanensis in flower color and size have the
leaftextureandtheangleandshapeofthelaterallobesof
E. plicata). This process seems to be happening spontane-
ously in Cayo Santa Maria, and the degree of introgression
between the two species is currently unknown. With all these
elements, we propose this species as endangered (EN) under
the IUCN red list criteria B1a+B2ab(iii); C2a(i).
Etymology—The specific epithet is in reference to its
occurrence in some small Cuban keys grouped in the
Archipie
´lago Sabana-Camagu
¨ey, apparently being more fre-
quent on the sub-archipelago of Sabana.
Representative Specimens Examined—CUBA: Province Villa Clara,
Costa Norte, Cayo Las Brujas, Bosque semideciduo, al norte de la Salina;
18 Oct 1989; A. Noa & I. Castan
˜eda 2639 (ULV!). Costa N. Santa Marı
´a.
Bosque siempreverde micro
´filo; 09 Feb 1990) I. Castan
˜eda, A. Noa & I. Alema
´n
3060 (ULV!). Costa N. Cayo Tı
´o Pepe. Bosque siempreverde micro
´filo;
06 Feb 1990. I. Castan
˜eda et al. 3032 (ULV!). Villa Clara, Caibarie
´n, Cayo Las
Brujas, cultivado; 08 Sep 2013; J. C. A
´lvarez-Montes de Oca s. n. (ULV!).
Caibarie
´n, Cayo Santa Marı
´a, matorral xeromorformo costero y subcostero
sobre arena humidificada; 05 Jul 2013; R. A. Pe
´rez-Obrego
´n et al. AVG2014–
01/AVG2014– 11 (SANT-in spirit). Cayo Santa Marı
´a, bosque siempreverde
sobre caliza, Pelo de Oro, cerca de la torre de comunicacio
´n; 20 jun 2003;
A. Vale & M. Montero AVG2014–12 & AVG2014–13 (SANT-in spirit).
Fig. 3. Scaled schematic representation of labella from 23 of the 24 species of Encyclia assumed in this manuscript as native of Cuba. The
materials in spirit drawn do not come from type specimens (except for E. sabanensis, E. guanahacabibensis and E. navarroi) but they represent the
most common shapes of each species from natural populations. Due to the remarkable variability of E. phoenicea two different alternatives of
labellum shape were included.
2014] VALE ET AL.: A NEW CUBAN SPECIES OF ENCYCLIA

Field Key for ENCYCLIA SPECIES IN CUBA (EXCLUDING NATURAL HYBRIDS)
1. Flowers completely cleistogamous or opening just partially . . . ....................................................................... 2
2. Surface of the ovary and the fruit verrucose ............................................................... E. gravida (Lindl.) Schltr.
2. Surface of the ovary and fruit smooth ...................................................................... E. isochila (Rchb. f.) Dod
1. Flowerschasmogamous ........................................................................................................ 3
3. Epiphytic on the leaf bases of Copernicia palm trees; internodes of the rhizome visible,
as large as or larger than pseudobulbs . . ........................................................... E. grisebachiana (Cogn.) Acun
˜a
3. Epiphytic, rupicolous or terrestrial; internodes hidden among the pseudobulbs and
shorter than them . ................................. ....................................................................... 4
4. All floral segments (including the labellum) uniformly yellow to green with no
spotsoronlyafewspots ........................................................................... E. rufa Britton & Millsp.
4. Labellum differing in color from the other segments, when more uniformly colored
the flower is entirely pink to purple . .................................................................................... 5
5. Plant rupicolous to terrestrial on ultramafic rocks or mud; flower intensely pink to purple .................... E. moebusii H. Dietr.
5. Plant epiphyte to secondarily rupicolous; flowers of any color . ............................................................. 6
6. Pseudobulbs fusiform, 2– 3 times longer than broad, with 3–7 leaves . . .................................... E. altissima Schltr.
6. Pseudobulbs ovoid or pyriform, shorter than as above described,
with 1–3(–4–5)leaves . . ........................................................................................ 7
7. Mid lobe of the labellum without a remarkable net of raised veins . .................................................. 8
8. Labellum with an intermediate region between the midlobe and the lateral
lobes (i.e. isthmus present) . .............................................................................. 9
9. Lateral lobes of the labellum with margins distally rolled over themselves . ................................... 10
10. Anther cap white, pink or purple; midlobe forming a central
depression in at least its proximal half . ........................................................... 12
12. Labellum length £21 mm; midlobe orbicular, apex emarginated
by less than 3 mm; distal margin of the lateral lobes forming an
angle less than 50with the central axis of the lip . . ............... E. sabanensis Vale, Pe
´rez-Obr. & Faife
12. Labellum length ³23 mm; midlobe cuneate, cordate or suborbiculate,
apex emarginated by more than 3 mm; distal margin of the lateral
lobes forming an angle more than 50with the central axis of the lip .............................. 13
13. Midlobe cordate to deltoid; lateral lobes aristate and distally
recurved towards the midlobe ............................... E. plicata (Lindl.) Britton & Millsp.
13. Midlobe obovate, orbicular or obcordate, lateral lobes lanceolate
to falcate, not particularly recurved ...................................................... 15
15. Mainly epiphytic on Acoelorrhaphe palms; mid lobe obcordate,
disk ridges ending in conspicuous horns; Pinar del Rı
´o
or Isla de la Juventud . . ............................................. E. pyriformis Schltr.
15. Epiphytic or rarely rupicolous; mid lobe obovate to orbicular;
disk ridges ending abruptly over the mid lobe (but not
forming conspicuous horns); elsewhere in Cuba .................. E. phoenicea (Lindl.) Neum
10. Anther cap yellowish, yellow or orange; midlobe not forming a conspicuous
central depression in its proximal half . ........................................................... 14
14. Labellum <23 mm; lateral lobes very rolled over themselves, lateral lobe
apex forming an acute angle with the midlobe
when extended; Western Cuba . . . ............................... E. bocourtii Mu
´j. Benı
´tez & Pupulin
14. Labellum > 26 mm; lateral lobes slightly rolled; lateral lobe apex forming
an obtuse angle with the midlobe when extended; Eastern Cuba . . ........ E. oblongata (A. Rich.) Acun
˜a
9. Lateral lobes of the labellum with margins not (or only slightly) enrolled . . ................................... 11
11. Leaf margin erose, epiphytic or secondarily rupicolous-terrestrial in ultramafic
terrains of Pinar del Rı
´o ............................................... E. triangulifera (Rchb. f.) Acun
˜a
11. Leaf margin smooth; from karstic or ultramafic terrains of Central to Eastern Cuba . . . ..................... 17
17. Lateral lobes nearly as large as midlobe, mid lobe acute and scarcely enrolled . . . ..................... 18
18. Lateral lobes very rolled back forming a wall more or less perpendicular
to the column axis, mid lobe sometimes curved forming a tube ................. E. acutifolia Schltr.
18. Lateral lobes not (or weakly) rolled back, mid lobe more or less extended
and flattened ......................................................................... 19
19. Lateral lobes perpendicular to the lip axis;
isthmus length ³3mm ..................................... E. bipapularis (Rchb. f.) Acun
˜a
19. Lateral lobes oblique to parallel to the lip axis, isthmus £2mm ....... ..................... 20
20. Lateral sepals lanceolate, petals spatulate, apex obtuse
or rarely apiculate, isthmus width ³1.5mm ...................................... 22
22. Labellum broader than long, apex acute, very rare;
only from Western Cuba ......................... E. ochrantha (A. Rich.) Withner
22. Labellum longer than broad, apex awn-like; rare;
only from Eastern Cuba . ............... E. monteverdensis M. A. Dı
´az & Ackerman
20. Lateral sepals oblong; petals spatulate-oblanceolate,
apex acute or acuminate, isthmus width <1.5mm ................... E. oxypetala Schltr.
17. Lateral lobes much larger than the midlobe; midlobe distally rounded
and forming a keel with the apex undulate . . . ................... E. howardii (Ames & Correll) Hoehne
8. Labellum with the midlobe starting directly from the end of lateral lobes
(i.e. isthmus absent) . .................................................................................. 16
16. Dorsal sepal > 25 mm; base of the mid lobe rounded to truncated;
lateral lobes of the labellum triangular . .......................................... E. navarroi Vale & D. Rojas
16. Dorsal sepal <25 mm, base of the midlobe acute, lateral lobes of the
labellum not triangular ............................................................................. 21
SYSTEMATIC BOTANY [Volume 39

21. Lip cochleate; winged column; only from Pinar del Rı
´o ......... E. rosariensis Mu
´j. Benı
´tez, R. Pe
´rez & Pupulin
21. Lip not cochleate; wingless column; elsewhere in Cuba ................... E. fucata (Lindl.) Britton & Millsp.
7. Mid lobe of the labellum with a prominent net of thickened and raised veins . . ...................................... 23
23. Lateral lobes linear; isthmus > 5 mm; ovary and fruit surface muricate . . . ............ E. nematocaulon (A. Rich.) Acun
˜a
23. Lateral lobes broad; isthmus <4 mm, ovary and fruit surface smooth
to papillose . ......................................................................................... 24
24. Lip yellow; raised veins of the mid lobe frequently with purple lines
or dots; proximal portions of the lateral lobes laterally hiding
the column; ovary surface smooth . ................................. E. guanahacabibensis Sauleda & Esperon
24. Lip white; raised veins rarely maculate; first third of the side lobes in the
same plane as the middle lobe, leaving the dorsal surface of the column
completely visible; ovary surface papillose . . ........................... E. papillosa (Bateman) Aguirre-Olav.
Acknowledgments. This paper is devoted to Mercedes Montero,
who spotted in situ and cultivated for the first time some plants of this
species for our study. We also thank Claude W. Hamilton, Romina
Alzugaray, Nina Martı
´nez, Eldis R. Be
´cquer and Ramo
´nLo
´pez for
providing pictures and/or valuable information about this plant. Our
gratitude to the herbaria mentioned above for making accessible their
materials on line or in vivo or/and for receiving dry and in spirit
specimens. We also thank to James F. Smith, Roland Roberts and
two anonymous reviewers for scientific assessment of the manuscript,
as well as to Elizabeth Faraone and Rocı
´oPe
´rez-Barrales for editing the
text. DR was supported by Foundation for Science and Technology,
Portugal (www.fct.pt), fellowship SFRH/BPD/97707/2013.
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2014] VALE ET AL.: A NEW CUBAN SPECIES OF ENCYCLIA