Magnolia cubensis ssp. acunae is found nowhere else in the world other than Cuba.
Cuban Magnolias are taxonomically different than other species of the genus. This subspecies, which is now listed as Critically Endangered is extremely rare and scattered in the montane rainforests of the Guamuhaya range. The tree grows up to an elevation area of 3100 ft., but does not grow below 2300 ft. It occurs in less than 15 known localities with just a few individuals remaining and only one population is known to include young trees of which there are only 12. The largest population exists within farmer lands putting it at risk from clearing for from being replaced by plantations. Some protection activities have been carried out in the Alturas de Banao Ecological Reserve but further conservation is needed to keep this tree safe from extinction.