Taxonomy and distribution of Gaultheria in the Caribbean
Two species of Gaultheria have been reported from the Caribbean: G. domingensis is said to occur on the Greater Antillean island of Hispaniola and G. sphagnicola, for which the specific names of G. buxifolia and G. anastomosans (both species occurring in South America) have been listed in synonymy, is said to occur on the Lesser Antillean islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe. A close examination of living material from Martinique and of herbarium specimens from Martinique, South America. Hispaniola, and Mexico reveals the following: (1) the Martinique and Guadeloupe group is specifically distinct from the South American G. buxifolia and G. anastomosans groups; (2) the Lesser Antilles group and the Greater Antilles group should be placed in a single species with the name of G. domingensis; and (3) there is evidence for a possible Mexican origin for this one Caribbean species.