Illicium guajaibonense
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| 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 | |
Illicium guajaibonense is a shrub endemic to Pinar del Rio 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]
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.