The carnivorous plant Pinguicula filifolia occurs in western Cuba and shows a restricted distribution due to habitat specificity associated with poor wet soils. Its populations are distributed mainly in south Pinar del Río (Cuba) and in Isla de la Juventud. Plants from one isolated location in NW Pinar del Río shows morphological differences with respect to the rest of the known populations observed in nature. Subsequent detailed morphological analysis of specimens led to the description of Pinguicula filifolia subsp. alba as a new subspecies. It differs from the typical subspecies in several reproductive traits involving flower, fruit and seed characters and is so far known only from the type locality.
Several names of the genus Pinguicula have been found to need typification or corrections to previous typifications. Analyses of original material and literature related to each name have led to the designation of 17 lectotypes, five neotypes and one epitype. Also five previously cited ‘holotypes’ were corrected to lectotypes. Notes discussing the selection or correction of type specimens are given for each name and, when possible, known isotypes are also cited.
The taxonomic status of Pinguicula lithophytica had been challenged both in publications and in discussions. It was proposed that P. lithophytica is conspecific with Pinguicula jaraguana. Both taxa represent Cuban endemics but they are from widely separate locations. Comparison with P. jaraguana was not considered by Panfet Valdés and Temple as the taxon was unknown to the authors; subsequent awareness did not cause the authors to question their original decision that assigned species status to P. lithophytica that some individuals later perceived demonstrated no significant differences to P. jaraguana. Recently published and even more recent unpublished information concerning P. jaraguana has allowed comparison with previously unpublished information about P. lithophytica. Comparison of the morphology of both species, especially of newly described seeds and new or enhanced measurement of leaf length and width and flower characteristics reveals sufficient differences to attest to their being separate taxa. The name Pinguicula lithophytica was also presented as synonymous with P. jackii var. parviflora but this is rejected as the latter name has no valid publication
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