Cyathea × boytelii

Cyathea × boytelii
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Pteridophyta
Class:	Pteridopsida
Order:	Cyatheales
Family:	Cyatheaceae
Genus:	Cyathea
Subgenus:	Cyathea
Section:	Alsophila
Species:	C. × boytelii
Binomial name
Cyathea × boytelii (Caluff & Shelton) —
Synonyms
Alsophila × boytelii Caluff & Shelton, 2002

Cyathea × boytelii is a tree fern endemic to the Sierra Maestra range of southeastern Cuba. It is a natural interspecific hybrid between Cyathea balanocarpa and Cyathea woodwardioides. The spores of C. × boytelii are normal in appearance; Caluff and Serrano (2002) suggest that it might therefore be fertile. This theory is strengthened by the presence of a large population of C. × boytelii in the Gran Piedra area. Caluff and Serrano (2002) note that "a full range of intermediates linking this hybrid with its parent species suggests the occurrence of backcrossing".

The type material was collected in Reserva Gran Piedra, Santiago de Cuba Province at an altitude of 1000 m on November 18, 1983.

The specific epithet boytelii honours the late Fernando Boytel Jambú of Cuba.

References

• Caluff, M. G. & G. S. Serrano 2002. Cuban novelties in the genus Alsophila (Cyatheaceae). Willdenowia 32:303-309. ISSN 0511-9618
• The International Plant Names Index: Cyathea × boytelii