186. Ipomoea erosa Urb., Symb. Antill. 9: 425. 1925. (Urban 1925: 425)

Type.

CUBA. Prov. Oriente [ Holguín-Guantánamo], Sierra de Nipe, Río Canapú, E.L. Ekman 15127 (holotype S07-4425).

Description.

Twining perennial; stems pubescent with spreading white hairs. Leaves petiolate, 5-8 × 2.5-5 cm, ovate-deltoid to almost elliptic, base cordate, apex obtuse to rounded, apiculate, margin denticulate, both surfaces grey pubescent to tomentellous, abaxial veins prominent; petioles 1-4.5 cm, tomentellous. Inflorescence of axillary pedunculate cymes borne on short leafy branchlets with up to 7 flowers; peduncles 0.9-1.5 cm, tomentellous; pedicels 5-15 mm; sepals suborbicular, rounded, convex, outer 7-8 × 6.5 mm, inner 8-10 × 8 mm; corolla c. 8 cm long, white, glabrous, funnel-shaped, tube widened to 1.3 cm at mouth, limb 3 cm diam.; anthers unequal, included. Capsules and seeds unknown.

Distribution.

Endemic to Eastern Cuba and only known from the type collection.

Note.

This species is distinguished by the pubescent, denticulate, leaves, the short peduncles and the white flowers.