Search

Capsicum L. (tribe Capsiceae, Solanaceae) is an American genus distributed ranging from the southern United States of America to central Argentina and Brazil. The genus includes chili peppers, bell peppers, ajíes, habaneros, jalapeños, ulupicas and pimientos, well known for their economic importance around the globe. Within the Solanaceae, the genus can be recognised by its shrubby habit, actinomorphic flowers, distinctive truncate calyx with or without appendages, anthers opening by longitudinal slits, nectaries at the base of the ovary and the variously coloured and usually pungent fruits. The highest diversity of this genus is located along the northern and central Andes. Although Capsicum has been extensively studied and great advances have been made in the understanding of its taxonomy and the relationships amongst species, there is no monographic treatment of the genus as a whole. Based on morphological and molecular evidence studied from field and herbarium specimens, we present here a comprehensive taxonomic treatment for the genus, including updated information about morphology, anatomy, karyology, phylogeny and distribution. We recognise 43 species and five varieties, including C. mirum Barboza, sp. nov. from São Paulo State, Brazil and a new combination C. muticum (Sendtn.) Barboza, comb. nov.; five of these taxa are cultivated worldwide (C. annuum L. var. annuum, C. baccatum L. var. pendulum (Willd.) Eshbaugh, C. baccatum L. var. umbilicatum (Vell.) Hunz. & Barboza, C. chinense Jacq. and C. frutescens L.). Nomenclatural revision of the 265 names attributed to chili peppers resulted in 89 new lectotypifications and five new neotypifications. Identification keys and detailed descriptions, maps and illustrations for all taxa are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study which described new species of Capsicum (C.) from the Caatinga Biome, Brazil. It notes that the species are similar to C. parvifolium. It also mentions that Capsicum is a genus that can be recognized by the unlobed calyx bearing appendices or teeth. Particular focus is given to the lectotypification for C. parvifolium and the analysis of karyotype for the species.

The article presents information on a study which determined the identity of Witheringia (W. ) sellowiana, a narrow endemic species from São Paulo, Brazil. A review of the related literature on the studies of the family Solanaceae is offered. The typification of W. sellowiana and its transfer to Aureliana is described. Also listed are the distinctive taxonomical key to the species of Aureliana.

Solanum delicatulum, a species only known to southern Brazil, is reported for the first time for Argentina and Paraguay. The species is described and illustrated, and a discussion about its synonymy is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes and illustrates three species of Capsicum from eastern coastal Brazil. Capsicum pereirae from Espirito Santo and Minas Gerais is related to C. flexuosum and C. schottiamon. Capsicum friburgense, endemic to a restricted area in Nova Friburgo is similar to species from Sao Paulo. A key to differentiate the wild Capsicum species from Brazil is provided.