Systematic Botany (2005), 30(4): pp. 863–871
© Copyright 2005 by the American Society of Plant Taxonomists

Three New Species of Capsicum (Solanaceae) and

a Key to the Wild Species from Brazil

GLORIA E. BARBOZA¹ and LUCIANO DE BEM BIANCHETTI²

¹Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biologı´a Vegetal (IMBIV-CONICET) and Department of Pharmacy, Chemical
Science Faculty, University of Co´rdoba, Casilla de Correo 495, 5000 Co´rdoba, Argentina

²Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecua´ria—Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de Recursos Gene´ticos e
Biotecnologia (EMBRAPA—Recursos Gene´ticos e Biotecnologia), PqEB Parque Estac¸a˜o Biolo´gica, Av. W/5
final, Brası´lia—DF, CEP 70770-900, Caixa Postal 02372, Brasil 

Communicating Editor: Thomas G. Lammers

ABSTRACT. Three new species of Capsicum from eastern coastal Brazil are described and illustrated. Capsicum pereirae from Espı´rito Santo and Minas Gerais is related to C.flexuosum and C. schottianum. Capsicum friburgense, endemic to a restricted area in Nova Friburgo (Rio de Janeiro state) is similar to C. scolnikianum, C. cardenasii, and C.mirabile. Capsicum hunzikerianum from Sa˜o Paulo is closely allied to C. cornutum. A key to differentiate the wild Capsicum species from Brazilis provided.

Capsicum L. (Tribe Solaneae, subtribe Capsicinae) is a small American genus comprising 20–25 species and a few varieties (Hunziker 2001). Five species (C. annuum L., C. frutescens L., C. chinense Jacq., C. baccatum L., and C. pubescens Ruiz & Pav.) have been domesticated and are well known for their valuable fruits, either the pungent cultivars (‘‘ajı´es’’, ‘‘paprika’’, ‘‘chilies’’, ‘‘peppers’’) or the sweet types (‘‘sweet pepper’’, ‘‘bell pepper’’, ‘‘pimiento’’) used as food, condiments, and medicine (Bosland and Votava 2000). According to Hunziker (2001), four centers of diversity may be recognized: 1. Mexico to western South America; 2. North-eastern Brazil and western coastal
Venezuela; 3. Eastern coastal Brazil; 4. Southern Bolivia to northern and central Argentina. The greatest number of species (13) is concentrated in Brazil.Many authors have focused on the taxonomy of this genus (Hunziker 1950, 1961, 1971, 1998; Heiser and Smith 1953; Eshbaugh 1979; Pickersgill et al. 1979) but Hunziker devoted a great deal of his life to achieve a comprehensive knowledge of Capsicum. Unfortunately, he died before finishing the generic treatment, leaving his unpublished manuscripts to one of us (G.E.B.). Thus, with the intention to publish in the near future a complete treatment of this genus, three new species from Brazil are here presented in advance. A key to
differentiate the wild Brazilian species is also included.

Capsicum pereirae Barboza & Bianchetti, sp. nov. (Figs. 1, 4 A–D).—TYPE: BRAZIL. Espı´rito Santo: Mun. Castelo, Castelo-Forno Grande, arbusto, flor branca, interiormente maculada de marrom, 6 Dec 1956 (fl), E. Pereira 2245 (holotype: CORD!; isotypes: HB!, RB!).

A Capsicum mirabile Mart. foliis coriaceis et nitidis, pedicellis curvatis ad deflexis non geniculatis, calyce edentato vel 5 dentibus minutis differt.

Shrubs (0.5) 0.8–2 (3) m tall; stems woody at base, few branched, glabrate; young stems striate, with thickened violet nodes. Leaves geminate, generally unequal in size, solitary in each stem dichotomy, 3–5.5 (10) times longer than broad, coriaceous, slightly discolored, elliptical to narrowly elliptical, the margin repand, the apex acute to acuminate, the base shortly attenuate, glabrous and slightly shining on both sides; major leaves (6.1) 9–15 (19) cm long, 2–2.4 (4.5) cm broad, the petioles 0.5–1 (1.5) cm; minor leaves 2.5–3 (5.4) cm long, 0.75–1.5 cm broad, the petioles 0.3–0.5 cm. Flowers solitary or in fascicles of 2–3; pedicels slightly curved, oblique to deflexed, non-geniculate at anthesis, 1.5–2.2 cm. Calyx considerably exceeding the ovary, 1.5–2 (4) mm, toothless or with 5 inconspicuous teeth, glabrous abaxially except for short uniseriate verrucate non-glandular trichomes on the margin. Corolla stellate 9–10 mm long, 8–19 mm diam, lobed nearly to the middle, pure white outside, spotted inside in basal half up to near the base of the tube, each spot bicolored (purple in the lobes, greenish-yellow in the limb and tube), both zones interrupted by white longitudinal stripes; lobes 5–6 mm long, 4.5–5 (6) mm wide, broadly triangular, the tip strongly cucullate, densely papillate on tips and the involute margins. Filaments 3–4 (5) mm; anthers whitish, 1.8–2.1 (3) mm; stapet ca. 1 mm tall. Ovary subconic; style clavate, slightly curved, (3.7) 4–6 (7) mm; stigma somewhat bilobulate. Berry globose, hardly depressed, (6) 8–9 mm X 7–10 mm, green when immature, yellowishgreen and deciduous at maturity, the fruiting pedicels pendant (2) 2.3–2.8 (3.5) cm, the fruiting calyx persistent, margin entire, the pericarp translucent or hyaline, lacking stone cells, scarcely hot. Seeds (3) 5–20 per fruit, brownish to blackish, 3–3.7 mm X 2.5–3.4 mm, the testa thick, foveolate with spine-like projections.

FIG. 1. Capsicum pereirae. A. Habit. B. Calyx. C. Flowers. D. Gynoecium. E. Fruiting branch. F. Fruit in cross section. G. Seed in cross section. H. Leaf. I. Embryo. J. Anatomical detail of the pericarp (note the large cells in the mesocarp). K. Seed. L. Simple hair. M. Opened out corolla. N. Flower bud (based on Pereira 2245 except J from Hunziker 25248). Scale bar = 3 cm (A, H), 4 mm (B, C, M, N), 2 mm (D, G, I, K), 1.5 cm (E), 6 mm (F), 320 µm (J), 100 µm (L).).

Distribution and Habitat. Endemic to states of Espı´rito Santo and Minas Gerais in the Mata Pluvial Montana and the ‘‘Capo˜es’’ (woods surrounded by grassy vegetation), between 1000–1600 m. It is uncommon growing mostly in shade, in the marginal forest with palms or Cyatheaceae, in aquatic depressions or in highly fertile valleys.

Etymology. The new species is named in honor of its collector, Edmundo Pereira (1914–1986), a prestigious self-taught botanist from Brazil.

Additional Material Examined. BRAZIL. Espı´rito Santo: Mun. Castelo, Domingos Martins, a 11.5 km do entroncamento da BR 262/Vargem Alta,  estrada para Caxixe Alto, 20°29°S, 40°57°W, 18 May 1992 (fr), Bianchetti et al. 1270 & 1273 (CEN); beira da estrada de terra que liga Castelo a` Venda Nova do Imigrante, 20°26°43°S, 41°05°32°W, 22 May 1999 (fl, fr), Bianchetti et al. 1567 (CEN); Caxixe
Alto, cerca del Morro Forno Grande (en la propiedad de R. Uliana, vecina a la Fazenda L. Campos), a 11 km de la ruta BR-262, 1000 m, 28 Mar 1986 (fl, fr), Hunziker 25137 (CORD); a 1 km de Caxixe Alto, em estrada de terra, 20° 32° S, 41° 07° W, 28 Mar 1986 (fr), Lleras et al. 2179 & 2181 (CEN, CORD); Caxixe Alto, seeds cultivated at Universidade Federale de Vic¸osa by V. Casali, 7–14 Dec 1986 (fl, fr), Hunziker 25247, 25248 & 25249 (CORD). Minas Gerais: Mun. Lima Duarte, Conceic¸a˜o do Ibitipoca, Reserva Florestal do Ibitipoca, Gruta do Pia˜o, 21°42°S, 43°53°W, 29 May 1992, Bianchetti et al. 1346, 1347, 1348, 1349 & 1350 (CEN); Conceic¸a˜o do Ibitipoca, Parque Estadual do Ibitipoca, Mata da Gruta do Pia˜o, 21°42°11°S, 43°52°18°W, 16 May 1999 (fr), Bianchetti et al. 1558 (CEN); Parque Estadual do Ibitipoca, 1400 m, 17 Dec 1986, Souza et al. 9081
(BHCB, RB); Serra de Ibitipoca, Pico do Pia˜o, 1500–1600 m, 15 May 1970 (fl, fr), Sucre & Krieger 6863 (CORD, RB).

Observations. Capsicum pereirae belongs to the group of species with corolla tinged with purple and greenish-yellow spots inside (Fig. 4B) as in some other species growing in eastern coastal Brazil (e.g., C. mirabile Mart., C. schottianum Sendtn., C. hunzikerianum Barboza & Bianchetti). However, the flowers become paler (Fig. 4A) or more rarely the purple spots are lacking completely (Fig. 4C) in some specimens from the Parque Estadual do Ibitipoca. The coriaceous and shining leaves distinguish C. pereirae from the remaining species of the genus. The presence of non-geniculate pedicels, pendant flowers (Fig. 4D), and calyces toothless (Fig. 1B, N) or with inconspicuous teeth relates this new species to C. flexuosum Sendtn. It is also near C. schottianum by sharing the calyx features and the similar color corolla.

Capsicum friburgense Bianchetti & Barboza, sp. nov. (Figs. 2, 4 G).—TYPE: BRAZIL. Rı´o de Janeiro: Mun. Nova Friburgo, subindo o Morro da Caledo ˆnia, a 6.45 km do Camping Club do Brasil (RJ.2), 1800 m, arbusto de 2.5 m alt., corola totalmente cor de vinho sem manchas e muito campanulada, fruto imaturo cor verde, 6 Apr 1986, L. Bianchetti, A. T. Hunziker, V. Casali & G. P. Silva 393 (holotype: CEN!; isotype: CORD!).

A Capsicum cardenasii Heiser et Smith corolla urceolata omni rosea vel lilacina, seminibus brunneolis ad nigricantibus differt.

Shrubs 0.8–2.5 m tall; stems hollow, few branched, glabrescent, smooth at the base and striate in flowering branches. Leaves geminate, solitary in each stem dichotomy, 2.6–3.6 times longer than broad, membranaceous, discolored, ovate to elliptical, the margin entire, the apex acuminate, the base shortly attenuate, slightly unequal, glabrescent on both sides, especially on the margins and nerves; major leaves (5.5) 8.5–13 (21) cm long, (1.5) 2.5–4.5 (7.5) cm broad, the petioles 0.6–1.2 (1.5) cm; minor leaves (1.8) 2.2–3.3 cm long, (0.7) 0.9–1.3 (1.7) cm broad, the petioles 0.2–0.3 cm. Flowers solitary or paired; pedicels erect or slightly curved downward, clearly geniculate at anthesis, (1.7) 2.1–4.9 (6.2) cm. Calyx 2–3 (5) mm,  with 5 conspicuous and oblique teeth 1.2–3 (3.5) mm long, glabrous abaxially except for short, uniseriate, verrucate, non-glandular trichomes on the margin and teeth. Corolla campanulate to urceolate, (7) 9–12 (15) mm long, 7.5–10.5 mm diam, lobed at the apex, violet or lilac in bud and entirely
pink or lilac at anthesis; lobes 2–5 times shorter than the tube, ca. (1.5) 2–3 (4) mm long, (1.5) 2–3 (4) mm wide, broadly triangular, cucullate and densely papillate on tip and margins. Filaments (4) 5–6 (7) mm; anthers yellowish, 1.5–2 (2.5) mm; stapet ca. 1.75 mm tall. Ovary globose; style white, clavate, (5–6) 8–11 mm; stigma green, discoidal-depressed, slightly exserted. Berry globose-depressed, (4) 5–6 mm X (5) 6–8 mm,
dark green when immature, light green or yellowishgreen at maturity; fruiting pedicels pendulous or usually nodding, geniculate, the fruiting calyx persistent, the pericarp translucent or hyaline, lacking stone cells, scarcely hot. Seeds 4–8 per fruit, brownish to blackish, 2.5–3 mm X 3–3–5 mm, the testa thick, deeply foveolate with spine-like projections.

Distribution and Habitat. Endemic to a restricted area along the wet forest of Nova Friburgo (State of Rio de Janeiro), from 1750 to 1920 m growing in transitional vegetation between the Mata Pluvial Montana and grassland at high elevation.

Etymology. The new species is named after the type locality.

Additional Material Examined. BRAZIL. Rio de Janeiro: Mun. Nova Friburgo, subindo o Morro da Caledoˆnia, a 6.5 km do Camping Club do Brasil (RJ.2), 1820 m, 6 Apr 1986 (fl, fr), Bianchetti et al. 391 (CEN, CORD); Morro da Caledoˆnia, a 6.6 km do Camping Club do Brasil, 1750 m, 22 May 1992 (fr), Bianchetti et al. 1299 (CEN); estrada do Morro da Caledoˆnia, a 600 m do porta˜o de entrada da torre telefoˆnica, na beira da estrada, 1920 m,
22°21°04°S, 42°35°05°W, 21 May 1999 (fl, fr), Bianchetti et al. 1565 (CEN); Pico Nova Caledoˆnia, 14 Jan 1985, Lima et al. 2526 (RB).

Observations. Capsicum friburgense is distinguished from the remaining species of the genus by the combination of both the corolla color and its shape (Fig. 4G). Among the wild species of Capsicum with unspotted corollas, C. friburgense is the only one with the corolla entirely pink or lilac. In other species lacking corolla spots, the corolla is white (e.g. C. annuum L., C. chacoe¨nse Hunz.), or pure yellow or yellowish. (e.g. C. scolnikianum Hunz., C. rhomboideum (Dunal) Kuntze, C. hookerianum (Miers) Kuntze). The presence of a peculiar campanulate to urceolate corolla is almost unique to this species. In fact, only two other species, C. scolnikianum (Hunziker 1961) and C. cardenasii Heiser & Smith (Heiser and Smith 1958) have campanulate (but never urceolate) corollas. Other characters that distinguish C. scolnikianum from C. friburgense are the branched hairs, the narrowly elliptical leaves, the erect fruits and the yellowish-brown seeds in the first species, whereas C. cardenasii differs from C. friburgense mainly by the corolla and seed color. Capsicum friburgense is also related to C. mirabile Mart. in calyx features, the geniculation of the pedicels, the fruit anatomy (Barboza et al., unpubl. data), the color and morphology of the seeds, and its habitat. It differs from C. mirabile by the presence of an unspotted, not three-colored, campanulate-urceolate corolla, and its ovate leaves.

FIG. 2. Capsicum friburgense. A. Fruit. B. Calyx. C. Flowering branch. D. Gynoecium. E. Portion of opened out corolla.
Corolla. G. Seed (based on Bianchetti et al. 393). Scale bar = 6 mm (A), 4 mm (B, E, F), 3 cm (C), 2 mm (D), 1 mm (G).

Capsicum hunzikerianum Barboza & Bianchetti, sp. nov. (Figs. 3, 4 E, F).—TYPE: BRAZIL. Sa˜o Paulo: Saleso´polis, Borace´ia, 30 Nov 1951, M. Kuhlmann 2785 (holotype: CORD!; isotypes: SP!; CEN!).

A Capscicum cornutum (Hiern) Hunz. caulibus et foliis glabrescentibus, corolla longiore differt. Shrubs 1–3 m tall; stems hollow, few branched, entirely
glabrous; young stems striate. Leaves geminate, or solitary and larger in each stem dichotomy, (2.5) 3–4 (4.2) times longer than broad, coriaceous, discolored, ovate to elliptical, the margin slightly revolute, the apex acuminate, the base attenuate and unequal, glabrous on both sides; major leaves (7.5) 9.5–20 (25) cm long, 2.5–7 (8.5) cm broad, the petioles (0.5) 0.8–2 (3.5) cm; minor leaves 2–4.5 cm long, (0.8) 1–2 cm broad, the petioles 0.2–0.5 cm. Flowers in fascicles of (1) 2–3 (4); the floriferous pedicels erect, geniculate at anthesis, (1.3) 2–3.8 (4.8) cm. Calyx (3.5) 5.5–6.5 mm, with 5 (6– 10) conspicuous teeth 2.5–4.5 (5) mm long, the 5 main teeth longer than the commissural teeth. Corolla stellate, 10–14 (16) mm long, (8) 10–18 mm diam, lobed nearly half way, pure white outside, the inner surface of each lobe greenish with a striped violaceous spot in the limb, greenish-yellow in the tube; lobes as long as the tube, ca. 6–8 mm long, (3) 3.5–5 (6) mm wide, broadly triangular, the tip strongly cucullate, papillate
on the tips and the involute margins. Filaments (1.5) 2–3 (3.5) mm; anthers yellowish, ca. (2) 2.5–3 mm; stapet 1.5 mm tall. Ovary globose, ca. 1–1.5 mm high; style clavate, 5–6 mm; stigma somewhat bilobulate, slightly exserted. Berry globose, slightly depressed, (4) 6–8 (8.5) X (6) 7–9 (10) mm, green when immature, yellowish-green and deciduous at maturity, the fruiting pedicels curved or pendant, the fruiting calyx persistent,
the pericarp lacking stone cells, scarcely hot. Seeds 10–20 per fruit, brownish to blackish, (2) 2.5 mm X 2.5–3 mm; testa thick, foveolate with spine-like projections.

Distribution and Habitat. This species is known only in Saleso´polis and Biritiba Mirim (Sa˜o Paulo). It is the only species of Capsicum growing in wet, shady, and marshy places at the Mata Atla´ntica. Etymology. The new species is named in honor of the late Armando T. Hunziker, an eminent botanist
who devoted a great deal of his life to the study of Capsicum.

Additional Material Examined. BRAZIL. Sa˜o Paulo: Saleso´polis, Estac¸a˜o Experimental Borace´a, 21 Nov 1940 (fl, fr), Da Silva s.n. (SP 5824 & 5851); Borace´a, 27 Nov 1940 (fr), Lima & Silva s.n. (SP 5870, LIL); Estac¸a˜o Biolo´gica de Borace´ia, perto do Rio Coruja, 29 Nov 1966 (fl, fr), Mattos & Mattos 14254 (CORD, SP); Borace´ia, Estac¸a˜o Biolo´gica, 22 Nov 1957 (fl), Kuhlmann 4311 (CEN, SP, SPSF); Estac¸a˜o Biolo´gica de Borace´ia, 23°38°–39°S, 45°52°–53°W, 890–950 m, 14 Nov 1983 (fl, fr), Custo´dio Filho 1849 (CEN, SP, SPSF); Casa Grande, Reserva Florestal, Guaratuba, 23°39°S, 45°52°W, 890–950 m, 4 Feb 1988 (fr), Franco & Custo´dio Filho 448 (SPSF); Estac¸a˜o Biolo´gica de Borace´ia—trilha da bomba, 23°39°15°S, 45°53°23°W, 6 May 1999 (fl, fr), Bianchetti, Silva & Bustamante 1537 (CEN); Biritiba Mirim, Estac¸a˜o Biolo´gica de Borace´ia, 23°38°–39°S, 45°52°–53°W, 890–950 m, 14 Nov 1983 (fl), Custo´dio Filho 1860 (CEN, SP); Estac¸a˜o Biolo´gica de Borace´ia, 23°38°–39°S, 45°52°–53°W, 890–950 m, 24 Nov 1983 (fl,fr), Custo´dio Filho 1914 (CEN, SP, SPSF); Estac¸a˜o Biolo´gica de Borace´ia, 23°38°–39°S, 45°52°–53°W, 890–950 m, 9 Dec 1983 (fl), Custo´dio Filho 2056 (CEN, SP, SPSF).

Observations. Capsicum hunzikerianum is a very distinct species in having the largest flowers of the genus (reaching up to 1.6 cm long), in its habit (shrubs up to 3 m tall) and its habitat (always growing in marshy places). The number of calyx teeth varies from 5 to 10, found in only other two species, both also from Brazil: C. recurvatum Witas. and C. cornutum (Hiern) Hunz. In the remaining species, the calyx is toothless (e.g., C. dimorphum (Miers) Kuntze, C. campylopodium Sendtn., C. flexuosum Sendtn., etc.) or with 5 (C. mirabile, C. rhomboideum, etc.) or 10 teeth (C. hookerianum, C. chacoe¨nse, etc.).

Capsicum hunzikerianum is closely allied to C. cornutum from which it differs by its habit, its marked glabrescence,
its corolla size, and its habitat. The following key to the wild species from Brazil is based on fieldwork and an extensive analysis of herbarium
collections. However, it is not definitive since we suspect that new taxa may be described as a result of ongoing studies

FIG. 3. Capsicum hunzikerianum. A. Flowering branch. B. Calyx. C. Stigma. D. Fruit. E. Seed. F, G: Anther, ventral and dorsal views respectively. H. Portion of opened out corolla. I. Flower (based on Kuhlmann 2785 except D and E from Mattos & Mattos 14254). Scale bar = 3 cm (A), 5 mm (B), 1 mm (C), 7.5 mm (D, H, I), 2 mm (E, F, G).

FIG. 4. A–D. Capsicum pereirae. E, F. C. hunzikerianum. G. C. friburgense.

Key to the Wild Chilli Species from Brazil

1. Style cylindrical, equal in width from the base to the apex. Fruit red, generally elliptical, ovoid, or sometimes globose. Seeds yellowish-brown, the episperm smooth. Corolla 4–7.5 mm long.

2. Corolla stellate, unspotted, white or cream-colored, the lobes generally oblong and more or less the same length as the limband tube. Filaments as long as or shorter than the anthers. Northern and north-eastern Brazil (Acre, Amazonas, Maranha˜o,Rondonia, Roraima).

→→C. annuum var. glabriusculum (Dunal) Heiser & Pickersgill

2. Corolla rotate, white with greenish-yellow spots on the lobes and limb inside, the lobes broader than long and markedly shorter than the limb and tube. Filaments generally 1.5 times or more longer than the anthers.

3. Corolla with the inside margin white. South and south-eastern Brazil (Espı´rito Santo, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Parana´, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, Sa˜o Paulo).

→→C. baccatum L. var.baccatum

3. Corolla with the inside margin lilac or violet. South-eastern and west-central Brazil Goia´s, Minas Gerais, Parana´, SantaCatarina, Sa˜o Paulo).

→→C. baccatum var. praetermissum (Heiser & Smith) Hunz.

1. Style clavate, widening from a moderately narrow base to a gradually broadened apex. Fruit generally yellow or yellowish-greenat maturity, rarely red-colored, globose or globose-depressed or globose-compressed. Seeds generally brownish or blackish (yellowish-brown only in C. parvifolium), the episperm foveolate with spine-like projections. Corolla (5.5) 6–15 (16) mm long.

4. Corolla entirely pink or lilac, clearly campanulate to urceolate, tube (5.5) 7–9 (11) mm. Leaves generally ovate. Eastern Brazil (Rio de Janeiro).

→→C. friburgense Bianchetti & Barboza

4. Corolla white with yellowish-green and sometimes also purple spots inside, stellate or rotate, never campanulate-urceolate, tube (2) 2.6–6 (8) mm. Leaves ovate, elliptical or narrowly elliptical

5. Pedicels non-geniculate at anthesis, the flowers pendant.

6. Shrubs or trees up to 4 m tall or more. Fascicles 5–20-flowered. Calyx 5-toothed. Anthers as long as or longer than the filaments. Seeds yellowish-brown.North-eastern Brazil (Bahı´a, Ceara´, Paraiba, Pernambuco, Piauı´, Rio Grandedo Norte) .

→→C. parvifolium Sendtn.

6. Shrubs 0.5–2 (3) m tall. Flowers solitary or the fascicles 2–3-flowered. Calyx toothless or with 5 minuscule teeth. Anthers clearly shorter than the filaments. Seeds brownish or blackish.

7. Corolla white with yellowish-green spots in the lobes and limb inside, 5.5–6 mm long. Leaves membranaceous, ovate, 2–3 (3.5) times longer than broad, glabrescent to pubescent. Fruits red at maturity. South and southeastern Brazil (Minas Gerais, Parana´, Rio Grande do Sul, Sa˜o Paulo, Santa Catarina) .

→→C. flexuosum Sendtn.

7. Corolla white with purple spots followed by an interrupted yellowish-green zone in the lobes and limb, 9–10 mm long. Leaves coriaceous, elliptical to narrowly elliptical, 3–5.5 (10) times longer than broad, glabrate. Fruits yellowish-green at maturity. South-eastern Brazil (Espı´rito Santo, Minas Gerais).

→→C. pereirae Barboza & Bianchetti

5. Pedicels geniculate at anthesis, the flowers twisted 90_.

8. Corolla lacking purple spots inside.

9. Calyx toothless. Corolla with yellow or golden spots in lobes and limb. Ovules 2 per locule. Androecium heterodynamous with 3 short stamens and 2 long stamens. Fruits globose-compressed. South-eastern Brazil (Espı´rito Santo, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro).

→→C . campylopodium Sendtn.

9. Calyx with 5, or 6 to 9 horizontal or recurved teeth. Corolla with greenish spots inside. Ovules 5–8 per locule. Androecium homodynamous with all stamens equal in length. Fruits globose-depressed. South and southeastern Brazil (Parana´, Rio de Janeiro, Santa Catarina, Sa˜o Paulo).

→→C. recurvatum Witas.

8. Corolla with purple or brownish or violaceous spots followed by yellowish-green zones inside.

10. Calyx toothless or sometimes with 5 tiny teeth. South-eastern Brazil (Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, Sa˜o Paulo).

→→C. schottianum Sendtn.

10. Calyx 5–10-toothed.

11. Calyx with only 5 short teeth (0.5–3 mm long).

12. Plants glabrescent, the hairs antrorse. Leaves elliptical to narrowly elliptical. South-eastern Brazil (Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, Sa˜o Paulo).

→→C. mirabile Mart.

12. Plants densely hairy, the hairs flexuous and patent on stems, petioles, pedicels, and sometimes alsoon the leaf nerves beneath. Leaves ovate. South-eastern Brazil (Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, Sa˜o Paulo).

→→C. villosum Sendtn.

11. Calyx up to 6–10 long teeth (3.2–6 mm long).

13. Shrubs 1.2–1.8 m tall, densely hairy. Corolla (8) 9–12 (14) mm long. Leaves membranaceous, ovate to broadly ovate. South-eastern Brazil (Rio de Janeiro, Sa˜o Paulo).

→→C. cornutum (Hiern) Hunz.

13. Shrubs up to 3 m tall, glabrate. Corolla 10–14 (16) mm long. Leaves coriaceous, slightly ovate to elliptical. South-eastern Brazil (Sa˜o Paulo).

                                                                                                                                      →→C. hunzikerianum Barboza & Bianchetti

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. The authors are grateful to the curators and assistants of the herbaria (B, BHCB, BR, CEN, CORD, CTES, G, GH, GUA, HB, HBR, ICN, LIL, MBM, MO, NY, P, R, RB, SI, SP, SPSF, UEC, US, W, Z) for the access to the herbarium collections, E. Di Fulvio for her invaluable generosity, L. Ariza Espinar for his comments and advice, the artists N. de Flury, L. Sa´nchez and L. Ribulgo for the excellent illustrations, J. Rueda and C. Ciarlante
for the technical assistance. We also wish to thank the two anonymous reviewers for valuable comments on the manuscript. In particular, G. Barboza is deeply indebted to late Prof. Armando T. Hunziker for his legacy that allows her to explore the fascinating world of the ‘‘ajı´es’’. The initial fieldwork in Brazil was carried out by Prof. Hunziker funded by the International Board for Plant Genetic Resources in 1986–1988. This research was supported by
grants from the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientı´ficas y Te´cnicas (CONICET, PIP-02819), Agencia Co´rdoba Ciencia (ACC, PIP-113/2001), and Fundacio´n Coordinacio´n de Perfeccionamiento del Personal de Nivel Superior (CAPES, Brazil).

LITERATURE CITED

BOSLAND, P. W. and E. J. VOTAVA. 2000. Peppers: Vegetable and Spice Capsicums. Crops Production Science in Horticulture 12: 1–204. Wallingford: CABI Publishing.

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