Erica × lazaroana Rivas Goday & Bellot

Fagúndez, Jaime, 2012, Study of some European wild hybrids of Erica L. (Ericaceae), with descriptions of a new nothospecies: Erica nelsonii Fagúndez and a new nothosubspecies: Erica veitchii nothosubsp. asturica Fagúndez, Candollea 67 (1), pp. 51-57 : 52

1. Erica × lazaroana Rivas Goday & Bellot

( E. arborea L. × E. umbellata L. ) in Anal. J. Bot. Madrid 6: 152. 1946.

Lectotypus (designated by PIZARRO DOMÍNGUEZ, 2007): SPAIN. Jaén: “Habitat cum E. arboreae et umbellatae, in quercetis suberis, inter Santa Elena et Aliseda , in montibus Marianis ”, 11.V.1941, Rivas Goday & Bellot s.n. ( MAF [ 20627 ]) .

= Erica arborea L. , Sp. Pl.: 353. 1753 (lectotypified by JARVIS & MCCLINTOCK, 1990: 517).

The original description of this hybrid does not propose a type specimen. However, the authors’ material is found in MAF, and one single specimen is labelled as E. × lazaroana. The locality is the same as what is mentioned in the protologue, so there is no doubt that this specimen should be considered the type. A copy of the description, probably by the authors, is included with the specimen. It lacks a latin diagnosis, but the authors refer to E. umbellata var. subcampanulata DC. as a synonym of E. × lazaroana . This variety was described as having a “Corola fauce apertiore, staminibus brevioribus” ENTHAM, 1839: 666), from south Spain.

The main features to differentiate this hybrid from its parents are: (1) from E. arborea , shorter flower pedicels, exerted style with a subbifidous stigma, campanulate corolla and an oblong, congest synflorescence with flowers in umbels, and (2) from E. umbellata , the higher habit, included anthers and non urceolate corolla. There is also a description that mentions these characters and the apendiculate anthers and curved leaves. After a close study of the cited specimen and the description proposed, we conclude that E. × lazaroana is a form of E. arborea , with no characters that could resemble E. umbellata other than the number of flowers in each umbel, which is high for E. arborea , and the congested synflorescence. Presence of divided hairs on the stems, coloured saccate calyx, the whitish, shortly campanulate corolla, included apendiculate anthers, capitate stigma and every other character are those of E. arborea . Therefore, a new synonymy is made here.

The authors also mention the occurrence of hybridisation between E. arborea and E. scoparia L. in the area but no description or new name is proposed for this cross. Moreover there is no material deposited at MAF identified by the authors as this possible hybrid. The locality of the type specimen, described in detail by RIVAS GODAY & BELLOT RODRÍGUEZ (1946), was prospected in May 2009. No intermediates were found for any of these heathers.

Specimens examined. – (sub. E. arborea ). SPAIN. Jaén: Santa Elena, road to La Aliseda , 38º20’21’’N 3º34’1’’W, 730 m, 9.V.2009, Fagúndez 3119, 3120, 3121 ( SANT).