Description of Pinguicula (Lentibulariaceae) in Belize: Discovery and ecological notes

Two colonies of Pinguicula L. (Lentibulariaceae) were discovered in March 2025 within the Maya Mountains of west-central Belize. Previously, this genus had been documented only twice in Belize; however, the current study provides the first detailed description of the morphology and ecology of Pinguicula in the region. Individuals from both colonies exhibited the closest affinity to the P. lilacina Schlechtendal & Chamisso– P. sharpii Casper & Kondo complex from the mountains of Mexico and Guatemala. Notable differences between the two colonies were identified: one colony exhibited characteristics similar to those of P. lilacina from central Mexico, while the other displayed features more similar to those of P. sharpii from southern Mexico and Guatemala. Based on these preliminary findings, it is not possible to determine whether these colonies are new species unique to the Maya Mountains or represent recently established populations of P. lilacina and P. sharpii originating from the Sierra Madre regions of Mexico. However, subtle differences from their Mexican counterparts warrant further investigation.