Pinguicula panfetiae (Lentibulariaceae), a new Caribbean butterwort from eastern Cuba

Researchers have identified Pinguicula panfetiae, a new species of carnivorous butterwort endemic to eastern Cuba, specifically within the Alejandro de Humboldt National Park. This discovery, previously misidentified as Pinguicula albida or P. jaraguana, is distinguished by its smaller rosettes with obovate leaves, non-involute leaf margins, and unique floral traits, including flowers up to 1–1.3 cm in size and distinct seed morphology (0.6–0.7 mm long, 0.18–0.22 mm wide). The species thrives on serpentine-derived ferritic soils in semi-arid montane shrublands, a habitat characterized by full sun exposure. Using morphological analysis and statistical comparisons with related species, the study confirms its novelty and assesses its conservation status as Critically Endangered (CR) under IUCN criteria, marking the 15th Pinguicula species recorded in Cuba.

Pančo, I., Temple, P., Rodríguez Cobas, G., Coutin Lobaina, N., Matisova, I., & Domínguez, Y. (2025). Pinguicula panfetiae (Lentibulariaceae), a new Caribbean butterwort from eastern Cuba. Plant Ecology and Evolution, 158(3), 382–391. https://doi.org/10.5091/plecevo.161641