New data on Jubula hutchinsiae in Macaronesia, with special reference to Madeira Island

Jubula hutchinsiae (Hook.) Dumort. ssp. hutchinsiae is a highly polymorphic species frequently found in native forests of Atlantic Europe and Macaronesia. The main objective of this study is to contribute to a better knowledge of J. hutchinsiae in the Madeira Archipelago, where two varieties occur: var. integrifolia , the most frequent, and var. hutchinsiae found only in three localities. In Macaronesia J. hutchinsiae var. integrifolia is also common in the Canary Islands, and var. hutchinsiae is rarer in Madeira but more common in the Azores. The morphological study of re- presentative specimens and characters from the gametophyte and sporophyte together with light micrographs were used to support the taxonomic investigation. The differences found between the morphology and distribution of the two varieties of J. hutchinsiae in Macaronesia should be considered and seem to justify taxonomic distinction at the varietal rank. An updated cartography for Madeira Island is presented showing that this species is mainly distributed in the Laurisilva areas.