Wild Capsicums: identification and in situ analysis of brazilian species

CARRIZO GARCÍA C.; STERPETTI M.; VOLPI P.; UMMARINO M.; SCCARDO F.

Congreso; XVth Capsicum and Eggplant Eucarpia Meeting; 2013

EUCARPIA

Capsicum is well-known for its cultivated species, spices and vegetables consumed worldwide, but it also includes ca. 30 wild species native from Central and South America. In order to gain knowledge about wild Capsicum species, to compare fruiting and flowering features with cultivars, and to characterize their natural habitat, three field trips were done to the Brazilian Mata Atlantica. The expeditions were done in February and June 2011 and April-May 2012, in which at least nine endemic wild Capsicums were found; populations of uncertain specific identification were also observed. The species differ considerably from the cultivars and even from wild taxa from W-NW South America. Some features that worth highlight are the dimensions that the plants can reach (woody shrubs up to 3-4 m tall, e.g. C. hunzikerianum and C. schottianum), the degree of variability in the corolla pigmentation in certain species (e.g. C. schottianum), and the different levels of fruit pungency. Most of the findings were done inside protected areas while outside those areas the findings were sporadic. The progressive anthropization of the territory and the intensive use of the land had reduced the natural habitat of the species, narrowing their areas of distribution. As a consequence, the conservation status of the Brazilian wild Capsicums may be considered vulnerable, especially for those species confined to particular environments (e.g. C. friburgense). It would be advisable to promote conservation strategies for these species, both in situ and ex situ.