A new orchid species, Tetramicra riparia is described from eastern Cuba. The new taxon has intermediate traits between the two subgenera of Tetramicra currently accepted. In fact, the most useful feature to distinguish T. riparia from its congeneric species (the combination of a repent growing habit with a completely entire labellum) is also the main morphological obstacle for classifying it at a subgeneric level. Nevertheless, the classification of the new species in Tetramicra subgenus Tetramicra is supported by the phylogenetic relationships found for a subset of Broughtonia alliance species. In addition, the ecology and conservation status of the new orchid species is discussed and a key for field identification is provided.