Mazaea shaferi

Mazaea shaferi is a multi-stemmed shrub that grows 1–3 metres (3.3–9.8 ft) high. The leaves are clustered at the ends of branchlets. The young branchlets are 1–2 millimetres (0.039–0.079 in) thick, and cylindrical. The bark is smooth and light grey. The wood is white. The leaves are variable in shape, even between specimens from the same area, and can be oblanceolate to broadly obovate. They are 30–65 millimetres (1.2–2.6 in) long, and 13–32 millimetres (0.51–1.26 in) wide. The upper surface is dark green, and the lower surface is pale green. The leaves turn reddish-brown when dry. The leaves have a papery texture, and lack hairs. The leaves have 3–5 millimetres (0.12–0.20 in) long. The inflorescences are 8–35 millimetres (0.31–1.38 in) long, and have flowers on each terminal branch. Each inflorescence has twelve to thirty-five flowers. The flowers grow on 0.5–2 millimetres (0.020–0.079 in) stems. The calyx is circular and flattened. The calyx is either undivided, or has three or four round lobes. The lobes are 0.6–1.2 millimetres (0.024–0.047 in) long. The corolla is a short funnel, which is 3–4 millimetres (0.12–0.16 in) long. The corolla is white. The flowers have four or five stamens. The plant flowers from March to July. The fruits are dark brown capsules, which are 6–18 millimetres (0.24–0.71 in) long, and 3–5 millimetres (0.12–0.20 in) wide. …

Mazaea shaferi is native to the wet tropical biome of north-eastern Cuba (Holguín Province). It grows in serpentine barrens on mountain slopes, at elevations of 700–900 metres (2,300–3,000 ft).