A new natural hybrid, Bletia ×ekmanii (Orchidaceae), from Cuba

Abstract

The natural hybrid Bletia ×ekmanii (B. patula × B. purpurea) is described and illustrated. Hybrid plants have a semihypogeous subglobose corm, incurved petals enclosing the column, flowers of intermediate size between those of the parental species, a trilobed lip of almost the same size as the lateral sepals with obtuse lateral lobes. Flowers of the hybrid resemble those of B. purpurea but are larger and with a patent lip as in B. patula. The hybrid was found along the roadside from Palenque to Bernardo town, Guantánamo Province, eastern Cuba. © 2011 BGBM Berlin-Dahlem.