Coccothrinax microphylla Borhidi & Muñiz

Henderson, Andrew, 2023, A revision of Coccothrinax, Hemithrinax, Leucothrinax, Thrinax, and Zombia (Arecaceae), Phytotaxa 614 (1), pp. 1-115 : 58

1.22. Coccothrinax microphylla Borhidi & Muñiz in Muñiz & Borhidi (1981 publ. 1982: 444). Lectotype (designated by Moya 2021):— CUBA. Guantánamo, ladera oeste del Abra de Mariana , 17 February 1978, B. Muñoz & R. Fleites 104 (lectotype HAC!)

Stems length not recorded, 6.0 cm diameter, branching not recorded. Leaves not recorded; leaf sheath fibers 1.5 mm diameter, stout, woody, loosely woven, the inner and outer layer combining at the apices to form erect , spine-like fibers; petioles 5.8(5.2–6.4) mm diameter just below the apex; palmans 7.4 cm long, relatively short, with the adaxial veins prominent and terminating in a slight raised ridge and distinct pulvinus; leaf blades wedge-shaped; segments 18(17–19) per leaf, the middle ones 19.4(18.3–20.5) cm long and 1.9(1.8–2.0) cm wide; segments not pendulous at the apices, giving the leaf a flat appearance; middle leaf segments relatively short and broad, abruptly narrowed (shoulder) toward the apex, otherwise parallel-sided, often strongly folded, stiff and leathery, the apices briefly splitting; middle leaf segment apices attenuate or blunt and rounded; leaf segments not waxy or sometimes with a deciduous, thin layer of wax adaxially, densely indumentose abaxially, with irregularly shaped, persistent, interlocking, fimbriate hairs, each one with a rounded, raised, reddish-brown center, without transverse veinlets. Inflorescences curving, arching, or pendulous amongst the leaves, with few partial inflorescences; rachis bracts not recorded; partial inflorescences 3(2–4); proximalmost rachillae straight, 8.0(6.0–10.0) cm long and 0.9 mm diameter; rachillae not recorded at or near anthesis; stamens 7; fruit pedicels 1.1 mm long; fruits 6.0 mm long and 7.0 mm diameter, color not recorded; fruit surfaces not recorded; seed surfaces not recorded.

Distribution and habitat:— Southeastern Cuba (Guantánamo) ( Fig. 14 ) in dry areas on limestone rocks at low elevation.

Taxonomic notes:— As a preliminary species, Coccothrinax microphylla was found to be polymorphic for segment apices. There are only two specimens known, both from the same locality, one with attenuate apices and one with blunt apices. Splitting the specimens into two species such that variables were consistent within each one would lead to improbable species, and so the variable is treated as a trait. Otherwise, specimens have a unique combination of qualitative character states and are recognized as a phylogenetic species. Coccothrinax microphylla is poorly known.

Figures

FIGURE 14. Distribution of Coccothrinax landestoyii, C. microphylla, C. miraguama and C. montana.