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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.

Studies on intraspecific sterility and stability are fundamental to the conservation and selection of the most promising genotypes to Embrapa’s Capsicum breeding program. The aim of this study was to identify potentially fertile genotypes for incorporation into breeding programs. Six accessions of chili pepper (C. chinense) belonging to Embrapa’s Active Bank of Capsicum Germplasm were cytologically analyzed. We observed a low frequency of meiotic abnormalities in most accessions, which are potentially suitable for use in the program, except for CNPH 4327, which showed 41.15% of compromised cells. This fact was reinforced by the low meiotic index and pollen viability showed by this accession. In general, pollen viability was correlated with meiotic abnormalities. Thus, the differences between the accessions indicate that pollen viability is affected by the genotype, but may also be influenced to some extent by the pollen grain maturation stage as well as by environmental factors., Foram analisados citologicamente seis acessos de pimentas (Capsicum chinense) pertencentes ao Banco Ativo de Germoplasma de Capsicum da Embrapa Hortaliças. Observou-se uma baixa freqüência de anormalidades meióticas para a maioria dos acessos, à exceção do CNPH 4327 com um comprometimento de 41,15% das células analisadas. Isso pode ser também constatado pelo baixo índice meiótico e viabilidade polínica deste acesso. De forma geral, a viabilidade do pólen esteve correlacionada com as anormalidades meióticas. No entanto, as diferenças observadas entre os acessos indicam que a viabilidade polínica pode ser afetada pelo genótipo, assim como por fatores adversos a exemplo da temperatura, hora da coleta, estágio de maturação do grão de pólen, e outros. Informações sobre esterelidade e estabilidade intra-específica são fundamentais para a conservação do Banco de Germoplama de Capsicum da Embrapa e contribuiem para a caracterização e seleção de acessos mais promissores para o programa de melhoramento de C. chinense.