Illicium guajaibonense

Illicium guajaibonense is a shrub endemic to Pinar del Rio located in western Cuba. It has only recently been recognized as a distinct species; previously it was considered to be subspecies of I. cubense. I. guajaibonense differs from I. cubense in flower color and other characters.[1]

Illicium guajaibonense
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Order: Austrobaileyales
Family: Schisandraceae
Genus: Illicium
Species:
I. guajaibonense
Binomial name
Illicium guajaibonense
(Imkhan.) Judd & J.R. Abbott

Range and biodiversity

Illicium guajaibonense can only be found in the bauxitic soils of Pinar del Rio which is located in western Cuba. It resides in evergreen dry forests at elevations of 500–600 m. The soils of these forests contain high concentrations of bauxite, a material used in making aluminum. The small population is critically endangered.[1]

Key features

Illicium guajaibonense grows as a shrub and can be up to 2 meters tall. These shrubs have simple, green leaves with a waxy appearance due to their thick cuticles. Unlike other Illicium species, their leaves give off a sweet, yet spicy aroma when crushed. They have small, red flowers with reduced petals, along with small bracts and stamens of the same red coloring. Their thick sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels are poorly structured: they vary in numbers and intergrade. Seeds and fruit are undescribed.

Uses and cultivation

Due to their limited range and rarity, not much is known about its uses or cultivation. However, it is known that the people of Cuba have used other species of Illicium as treatments for various ailments such as gastric/intestinal problems, menstrual cramps, rheumatism, and nasal congestion. It is possible the shrub may contain similar medicinal properties as other Illicium.

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References
  1. Abbot, Morris, Judd, Walter, Richard, Ashley (2008). "ILLICIUM GUAJAIBONENSE, ELEVATED TO SPECIES RANK AND COMPARED WITH THE SUBSPECIES OF ILLICIUM CUBENSE (ILLICIACEAE)". Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas: 799–806.
  • Evolution of Illicium (Illiciaceae): Mapping morphological characters on the molecular tree, Plant Systematics and Evolution, 2003, Volume 240, Number 1-4, Page 175, 5I.-C. Oh, T. Denk, E. M. Friis.
  • Cano, J. H., & Volpato, G. (2004). Herbal mixtures in the traditional medicine of Eastern Cuba. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 90( 2), 293-316.
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