ORCHIDS FROM THE GREATER ANTILLES .1. A NEW SPECIES OF BLETIA

Bletia antillana (Orchidaceae), a species restricted to eastern Cuba, is described and illustrated. This species is similar to Bletia purpur ea but differs by the following: 1) the leaves always present during a nthesis; 2) flower is semi-erect; 3) flower parts larger; 4) dorsal an d lateral sepals straight; 4) petal curved, enclosing the column and t he lateral lobes of the lip; 5) lip whitish at base, rose-purple at th e apex of the lateral lobe, and yellow at the callus; and 6) lip obova te, with a quadrangular midlobe curved downward.