Genus Pogostemon (Lamiaceae) in Cuba

Context: The presence in Cuba of taxons of Pogostemon Desf. (Lamiaceae), a native genus from Africa, Asia, and Australia, whose previous recorded information was not accurate. Objectives: To report on relocation of a species of this genus, define its nomenclature, contribute with data for identification, and provide arguments of its usefulness. Methods: Study of herbarium specimens, field exploration, sample comparisons with descriptions, analytical keys, and samples incorporated to scientific collections. Results: The presence of Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth (Lamiaceae) was confirmed in the provinces of Sancti Spíritus, Camagüey, Holguín, and Guantánamo, Cuba. This is a promising species for the medical-pharmaceutical industry, and the areas of perfumes and cosmetics. Conclusions: Out of the 34 infra-generic Lamiaceae representatives known to be of exotic origin in the Cuban archipelago, 25 have been unable to naturalize

Floristic and Physiognomic Characterization of Casino Campestre City Park in Camagüey, Cuba

A floristic and physiognomic characterization was made to the flora and vegetation of Casino Campestre, the most important city park in Camagüey, Cuba. The presence of 198 species from 170 genera and 72 families was reported to live in the park. Most species are exotic trees, which also grow along with some native and endemic elements. Their social, cultural, and environmental significance was assessed

El género Pogostemon (Lamiaceae) en Cuba

Contexto: Sobre la presencia en Cuba de taxones pertenecientes a Pogostemon Desf. (Lamiaceae), género, nativo de África, Asia y Australia, la información previa no resultaba suficientemente precisa. Objetivos: Informar de la relocalización de una especie perteneciente al género, precisar su nomenclatura, aportar datos que permitan identificarlo y argumentar su utilidad. Métodos: Estudio de especímenes de herbario, exploraciones de campo, así como la comparación de muestras con descripciones, claves analíticas y ejemplares incorporados a colecciones científicas. Resultados: Se confirma la presencia en el territorio nacional de Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth. (Lamiaceae), cultivado en las provincias de Sancti Spíritus, Camagüey, Holguín y Guantánamo. Se trata de una especie promisoria, dada su importancia medicinal y para las industrias farmacéutica, de la perfumería y de la cosmetología. Conclusiones: Se elevan a 34 los representantes infragenéricos conocidos de Lamiaceae en el archipiélago cubano que son de origen exótico, 25 los cuales no han llegado a naturalizarse

First Record of Leea guineensis (Vitaceae) in Cuban Scientific Literature

The presence of Leea guineensis G. Don. was confirmed in Cuba. It is a widely cultivated alochtonous species used in Cuba as ornameltal plants, which had not been previously registered in the scientific literature of the country. Several botanical procedures (collections, specialized catalogs, descriptions, and scientific illustrations) were applied. It is a new taxon of the genus in the country. A key is suggested as a way to distinguish it from other genera of the Vitaceae family

Caracterización florístico-fisionómica del Casino Campestre, emblemático parque urbano de la ciudad de Camagüey, Cuba

Se caracteriza la flora y vegetación del Casino Campestre, el parque urbano más importante de la ciudad de Camagüey, Cuba. Se reporta la presencia de 198 especies, pertenecientes a 170 géneros y 72 familias, la mayor parte de ellos con hábito de crecimiento arbóreo y de origen exótico, aunque también están representados elementos nativos e incluso endémicos. Se valora su significación ambiental y socio-cultural

Caracterización florístico-fisionómica del Casino Campestre, emblemático parque urbano de la ciudad de Camagüey, Cuba

The flora and vegetation of the Casino Campestre (the most important urban park of Camagüey city, Cuba) are characterized. The existence of 197 species, 169 genera and 71 families, the greater part of them with habit of growth arboreal and of exotic origin are reported, although native and endemic elements are present. It's environmental significance, social and cultural are valued.  Se caracteriza la flora y vegetación del Casino Campestre, el parque urbano más importante de la ciudad de Camagüey, Cuba. Se reporta la presencia de 198 especies, pertenecientes a 170 géneros y 72 familias, la mayor parte de ellos con hábito de crecimiento arbóreo y de origen exótico, aunque también están representados elementos nativos e incluso endémicos. Se valora su significación ambiental y socio-cultural

Floristic and Physiognomic Characterization of Casino Campestre City Park in Camagüey, Cuba

A floristic and physiognomic characterization was made to the flora and vegetation of Casino Campestre, the most important city park in Camagüey, Cuba. The presence of 198 species from 170 genera and 72 families was reported to live in the park. Most species are exotic trees, which also grow along with some native and endemic elements. Their social, cultural, and environmental significance was assessed

Trichanthera gigantea (Homb. & Bonpl.) Nees, (Acanthaceae) y su cultivo en Cuba

Context: The investigation is part of the efforts being made to specify a new taxonomic treatment of the Acanthaceae family in Cuba and to specify the situation of the taxa that have been introduced in the country, the verification of their permanence in cultivation, the probable naturalization and (in case of become definite the last one) its subsequent behavior. Objective: Clarify the status of introduction and current situation of the cultivation or establishment of Trichanthera gigantea (Humb. & Bonpl.) Nees. (Acanthaceae) in Cuba. Methods: Botanical research methods were used, such as the work with collections, comparison with descriptions and keys contained in catalogs, as well as scientific description and illustration. It was investigated with inhabitant to verify the use they make of the species. Results: The presence of T. gigantea in Cuba is confirmed, details are made on its nomenclature, the taxon is described and illustrated, and an analytical key is offered to differentiate it from the other closely related representatives reported for the national territory. Aspects related to their utility as a forage plant are discussed. Conclusions: T. gigantea should be included in catalogs and specialized publications on Cuban flora. Its proven usefulness as a forage plant will necessarily have to be taken into account by economic botany and will undoubtedly constitute a factor that will continue to promote the expansion of its cultivation throughout the national territory.Contexto: La investigación forma parte de los esfuerzos que se realizan para concretar un nuevo tratamiento taxonómico de la familia Acanthaceae en Cuba y esclarecer la situación de taxones que han sido introducidos en el país, verificar su permanencia en cultivo, la probable naturalización y (en caso de concretarse esta última) su comportamiento posterior. Objetivo: Esclarecer el estatuto de introducción y situación de cultivo actual o establecimiento de Trichanthera gigantea (Humb. & Bonpl.) Nees. (Acanthaceae) en Cuba. Métodos: Se utilizaron métodos de investigación propios de la botánica, como el trabajo con colecciones, la comparación con descripciones y claves contenidas en catálogos especializados, así como la descripción e ilustración científica. Se indagó con pobladores para constatar el uso que hacen de la especie. Resultados: Se confirma la presencia en Cuba de T. gigantea, se realizan precisiones sobre su nomenclatura, se describe e ilustra el taxón y se ofrece una clave analítica para diferenciarlo de representantes afines reportados para el territorio nacional. Se comentan aspectos relacionados con su utilidad como planta forrajera. Conclusiones: T. gigantea deberá ser incluida en los catálogos y publicaciones especializadas sobre la flora cubana. Su probada utilidad como planta forrajera tendrán necesariamente que ser tenida en cuenta por la botánica económica e indudablemente constituirá un factor que continuará propiciando la expansión de su cultivo por del territorio nacional

Trichanthera gigantea (Homb. & Bonpl.) Nees, (Acanthaceae) in Cuba

Context: This research is part of the efforts made to establish a new taxonomic approach of family Acanthaceae, and to have an update on the taxa introduced in Cuba. It will also include a verification of its permanence in the land, probable naturalization, and (if it occurs) its later behavior. Aim: To elucidate the current introduction and status of the cultivation or establishment of Trichanthera gigantea (Humb. & Bonpl.) Nees. (Acanthaceae) in Cuba. Methods: Botanical methods were used, such as collection studies, comparison of descriptors, and the keys found in specialized catalogs, along with the description and scientific illustration. The local population was surveyed to check how this species can be useful. Results: This study confirmed the presence of T. gigantea in Cuba, with a detailed analysis of the nomenclature. The taxon was described and illustrated, and the corresponding analytical key was established to contrast it from akin specimens reported in Cuba. Aspects related to its usefulness as a forage-producing plant were tackled as well. Conclusions: T. gigantea should be included in the catalogs and specialized journals on the Cuban flora. The demonstrated usefulness of the plant to produce forage will have to be considered as part of the economic botany, as it will certainly become a factor for the spreading of the plant throughout Cuba

Primer registro de Leea guineensis (Vitaceae) en la literatura especializada cubana

Se confirma la presencia en Cuba de Leea guineensis G. Don., especie alóctona que se cultiva con fines ornamentales y no había sido registrada anteriormente por la literatura científica. Se emplearon métodos propios de la botánica, como el trabajo con colecciones, el uso de catálogos especializados, la descripción e ilustración científica. Dado que constituye el primer taxón de ese género que se reporta para el país, se ofrece una clave para diferenciarlo de los restantes pertenecientes a la familia Vitaceae