Research Article |
Corresponding author: Gloria E. Barboza ( gbarboza@imbiv.unc.edu.ar ) Academic editor: Leandro Giacomin
© 2020 Gloria E. Barboza, Luciano de Bem Bianchetti, João Renato Stehmann.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation:
Barboza GE, de Bem Bianchetti L, Stehmann JR (2020) Capsicum carassense (Solanaceae), a new species from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. PhytoKeys 140: 125-138. https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.140.47071
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Capsicum carassense Barboza & Bianchetti sp. nov., a species from mid-elevation of the Atlantic Forest (Minas Gerais, Brazil) is described and illustrated. This endemic new species is distinguished from the most similar C. mirabile Mart. by its moderate to dense general pubescence, narrowly elliptic leaves and larger calyx appendages and corollas. A key for the native Brazilian species of Capsicum growing in the state of Minas Gerais is also provided.
Brazil, Capsicum, Minas Gerais, new species, taxonomy
Capsicum L. (Capsiceae, Solanaceae) comprises ca. 41 species of mostly shrubs or subshrubs with axillary sessile inflorescences, truncate calyces or appendages borne below the margin, corollas usually stellate or campanulate and variously coloured and usually pungent fruits (
There are two main centres of diversity for Capsicum, the Andes and Brazil (Barboza et al. in prep.). For both centres, new species have been described in recent years (
While working with the genus on the Flora do Brasil 2020 project, we revised several Brazilian herbaria and visited the Serra do Caraça, a historical natural reserve with remnants of semi-deciduous montane forest in the Iron Quadrangle, in Minas Gerais state. There, we found some populations that were recognised at first glance as belonging to C. mirabile Mart., a species that typically occurs in montane rainforests in south-eastern Brazil. Capsicum species from different regions of the Atlantic forest were included in the broad molecular phylogeny of the genus, based on nuclear and chloroplast markers (
The description is based on observations and data taken from specimens collected in the field between 1986 to 2019, mainly in Serra do Caraça (Minas Gerais, Brazil) and examination of herbarium specimens from 13 herbaria (BHCB, BHZB, BM, CEN, CORD, ESA, JPB, M, MBM, RB, SP, UEC and UT). Specimens have been accessed in situ or through digital images via INCT Herbário Virtual (http://inct.splink.org.br), Herbário Virtual Reflora (http://reflora.jbrj.gov.br/reflora/herbarioVirtual) or Global Plants (https://plants.jstor.org/) databases. Measurements were made from preserved material in FAA solution (formaldehyde –acetic acid – ethanol) or from living material using a Zeiss Stemi 2000-C stereomicroscope at 6.5–50× magnification. Information on corolla and fruit colour and pungency of fruit was recorded from living material in the fieldwork. Illustrations were made by composite line drawings from preserved material. Photographs were taken during fieldwork by the authors; images were edited using Adobe PhotoshopVR.
To compare this new species with its morphologically similar congener (C. mirabile), about 200 specimens of C. mirabile were analysed (see Suppl. material
Capsicum carassense is morphologically most similar to C. mirabile Mart., but differs in its moderate to dense pubescence, narrowly elliptical to lanceolate leaf blade with acute to obtuse apices, longer calyx appendages (up to 5 mm) and larger corollas (up to 20 mm in diameter).
Brazil. Minas Gerais: Catas Altas, RPPN Serra do Caraça, trilha da gruta de Lourdes, após a capelinha, 20°05'41"S, 43°28'52"W, 1386 m elev., 26 Oct 2014 (fl), J.R. Stehmann, L.L. Giacomin, G.E. Barboza & S. Knapp 6347 (holotype [two sheets]: BHCB acc.#174038 [BHCB0019940_1!, BHCB0019940_2!]; isotypes: CORD [CORD00006968!], RB [RB 01220059, acc. # 674586!]; MBM).
Shrubs (0.8–) 1–2 (–3) m tall, with the main stem somewhat thick and sparsely branched, the branches dichotomous and spreading horizontally. Stems hollow, angled with ridges; young stems green, striate, moderately to densely pubescent with simple, uncinate and antrorse uniseriate 3–5 (–6)-celled eglandular trichomes 0.2–0.7 mm long, yellowish-brown when dried, the nodes green or purple; bark of older stems brown, pubescent, striate; lenticels absent. Sympodial units difoliate, the leaves geminate or the leaves solitary in the bifurcation of the branches; the leaves of a geminate pair anisophyllous in size. Leaves simple, membranaceous to chartaceous, discolourous, dark green above, paler beneath; adaxial surface moderately pubescent with simple trichomes like those of the stem, especially on the veins; abaxial surface moderately pubescent like the adaxial surface, but with less frequent glandular trichomes with a unicellular stalk and a multicellular head; major leaves with blades 6–16 cm long, 0.9–2.5 cm wide, narrowly elliptic to lanceolate; the major veins 4–6 on each side of midvein, the midvein prominent and the secondary veins obscure, the base attenuate, the margins entire and moderately pubescent, the apex acute to obtuse; petioles 0.2–0.6 cm long, moderately pubescent; the minor leaves 2.9–3.9 cm long, 0.5–0.8 cm wide, narrowly elliptic; the major veins 2–3 (–4) on each side of midvein, the base attenuate, the margins entire, moderately pubescent, the apex obtuse; petioles 0.2–0.4 cm long, moderately pubescent. Inflorescence with the flowers in fascicles of 2–4; pedicels (1.2–) 1.5–2 (–2.2) cm long, slightly angled, erect to oblique, green, geniculate at anthesis, moderately pubescent. Buds ellipsoid, cream with greenish-yellow pigmentation. Flowers 5-merous, all perfect. Calyx 1.2–1.6 mm long, 2.5–3 mm wide, cup-shaped, thin, light green to cream, the margin truncate, pubescent with abundant antrorse curved 3–5-celled eglandular trichomes and sparse short glandular trichomes with a dark elongate, multicellular head and short unicellular stalk (see Fig.
Capsicum carassense Barboza & Bianchetti A flowering branch B–D leaf morphology E eglandular trichome of the stem F glandular trichome of the calyx G, H flower buds in different stages of development I flower in anthesis (note the geniculate pedicel) J opened corolla K fruit L fruiting calyx A–K from Bianchetti et al. 1364. Drawn by L. Bianchetti.
Capsicum carassense Barboza & Bianchetti A habit, showing the typical lanceolate leaves B inflorescence with geniculate pedicels C flower, in frontal view D globose-depressed fruit A–C from Stehmann 6347 D from Agra 7268. Photos by J.R. Stehmann. Scale bars: 2 cm (A); 1 cm (B); 5 mm (C–D).
Capsicum carassense is endemic to south-eastern Minas Gerais (Fig.
The population studied in the field at Serra do Caraça inhabits the understorey of the semi-deciduous montane Atlantic Forest, in a shaded and moist environment. Information about pollination and dispersal is not yet known.
In flower from October to January, also in May; fruiting in December, February and April.
The new species is named in allusion to its restricted habitat in the Serra of Caraça and surrounding areas (Minas Gerais, Brazil).
Following the IUCN Red List Criteria (
Brazil. Minas Gerais: Mun. Catas Altas, Serra do Caraça, near Santa Barbara, trilha a Capela y Gruta de Lourdes, 20°05'39"S, 43°28'45"W, 1430 m elev., 26 Apr 2010 (fr), M.F. Agra et al. 7268 (BHCB, JPB, RB, UT); Serra do Caraça, ca. 70 km sudeste de Belo Horizonte, próximo ao Mosteiro do Caraça, 17 Nov 1977 (fl), N.D. da Cruz et al. 6291 (SP, RB, UEC); Barão de Cocais, Parque Natural do Caraça (PNC), a 150 m do monastério, perto da Fonte do Bode, 1250 m elev., 19°56'S, 43°28'W, 22 Apr 1986 (fr), L. Bianchetti et al. 512 (CEN); Barão de Cocais, PNC, 31 May 1992, L. Bianchetti et al. 1363, 1364, 1367, 1368 (CEN); PNC, muy cerca del monasterio, en el bosquecillo vecino al Fonte de Bode, ca. 1250 m elev., 21 Apr 1986 (fr), A.T. Hunziker et al. 25206 (CORD); PNC, muy cerca del monasterio, 1250–1300 m elev., 10 Dec 1986 (fl), A.T. Hunziker et al. 25256 (CORD, BM); Serra do Caraça, 4 Dec 1999 (fl), R.C. Mota 106 (BHCB); at the same locality, 18 Dec 2002 (fl), R.C. Mota 2260 (BHCB); at the same locality, 5 Jan 2005 (fl), R.C. Mota 2653 (BHCB); RPPN Caraça, Trilha para Tanque Grande, 03 Dec 2013 (fr), J. Ordones et al. 2229 (BHZB); Serra do Caraça, 1600 m elev., 12 Sep 1990 (fl), J.R. Stehmann et al. s.n. (ESA 33757); Serra do Caraça, Tanque Grande, 16 Feb 2012 (fr), J.R. Stehmann & F.S. Faria 6269 (BHCB); na trilha para o Tanque Grande, 20°06'05"S, 43°29'33"W, 1249 m elev., 26 Oct 2014 (fl), J.R. Stehmann et al. 6344 (BHCB, RB); Mun. Ouro Preto, Mina da Capanema (Mina da Serra Geral), RPPN Vale, near town of Glaura, trail to Cabeza do Macaco, 20°13'04"S, 43°35'05"W, 1691 m elev., 29 Apr 2011 (fr), M.F. Agra et al. 7340 (BHCB); estrada da torre-Samarco Mineração-Antonio Pereira, 16 Dec 1996 (fl, fr), M. Brosehel & J. Craig 406 (RB); RPPN Capanema, 19 Oct 2015 (fl), M.O. Pivari et al. 2768 (BHCB); Mun. Santa Barbara, Serra de Gandarela/C2, 20°3'24"S, 43°41'28.60"W, 1637 m elev., 26 Nov 2008 (fl), F.F. Carmo & L.C. Ribeiro 3527 (BHCB); Santa Barbara, 20°00'52"S, 43°40'13"W, 1497 m elev., 17 Dec 2014 (fl), F.D. Gontijo et al. 589 (BHCB); Rio Acima, Serra do Gandarela, 20°05'52"S, 43°41'12"W, 12 Dec 2011 (fl), C.V. Vidal & R.L. de Paula 1157 (BHCB); Without municipality: habitat in irriguis lapidosis Serra do S. Geraldo, w/d, C.F.P. von Martius s.n. (M 0171537).
Capsicum carassense belongs to the Atlantic Forest clade (sensu
Differences between C. carassense and C. mirabile. Abbreviations. BA: Bahia, ES: Espírito Santo, RJ: Rio de Janeiro, SP: São Paulo, MG: Minas Gerais.
Character | Capsicum carassense | Capsicum mirabile |
---|---|---|
Indumentum | Moderately to densely pubescent | Glabrate to sparsely pubescent |
Major leaf shape | Narrowly elliptical to lanceolate, apex acute to obtuse | Elliptical to ovate, rarely narrowly elliptical, apex acuminate to long acuminate |
Major leaf length/width ratio | (4–) 5–10 (–16) | (2–) 2.5–4 (–4.9) |
Buds colour | Cream with greenish-yellow tones | Purple |
Calyx appendages | Long appendages (2.8–) 3–4 (–5) mm | Short to long appendages |
(0.4–) 0.5–1.5 (–3) mm | ||
Corolla size | (8–) 10–12 mm long | (6–) 7.5–12 mm long |
13–20 mm in diameter | (9–) 10–13 mm in diameter | |
Distribution and ecology | Endemic to Serra do Caraça and surrounding areas (MG); mostly in semi-deciduous montane forests | Widely distributed in eastern and southern Brazil (BA, ES, RJ, SP, MG); mostly in dense ombrophilous montane forests |
Capsicum carassense is a pubescent low shrub with very narrow leaves and large white corollas with purple-spots. The shape and length/width ratio of the leaves of C. carassense are very close to the description of C. mirabile var. grandiflorum Sendtn. (
Capsicum carassense and C. mirabile differ in geographic distribution, with the former inhabiting mostly the understorey of the semi-deciduous montane forests of the southernmost areas of the Espinhaço Range in Minas Gerais, while the latter has a wider distribution (
All collections of the new species come from the Iron Quadrangle in Minas Gerais, except one historical Martius specimen at M [M!, photo n° 6522 at F!], collected in the Serra de São Geraldo between Mariana and Presídio de São João Batista (today the municipality of Visconde do Rio Branco). This material, a syntype of C. mirabile (
The relationships amongst the species belonging to the Atlantic Forest clade appear to be fully resolved and an apparent phase of rapid speciation has been suggested for this lineage (
The new species deserves conservation attention, because few populations are known and most of them are distributed in the Iron Quadrangle and associated with remnants of native forests. This area was assessed as priority for conservation in the state of Minas Gerais (
1 | Calyx without teeth or with 5 very short appendages delimiting a pentagonal outline | 2 |
– | Calyx with 5 well-developed appendages, these being 0.4–5 mm long | 6 |
2 | Pedicels at anthesis non-geniculate, pendent | 3 |
– | Pedicels at anthesis geniculate, erect | 5 |
3 | Leaves elliptic to narrowly elliptic, coriaceous, glabrous; corolla mostly white with purple pigmentation within; fruits greenish-yellow at maturity | C. pereirae Barboza & Bianchetti |
– | Leaves elliptic to ovate, membranaceous, glabrescent to moderately pubescent; corolla mostly white or purple with yellowish-green pigmentation within; fruits red at maturity | 4 |
4 | Inflorescence with (1–) 2–3 (–6) flowers; corolla white with 5 yellowish-green spots at the base of the lobes and throat within; seeds blackish-brown | C. flexuosum Sendtn. |
– | Inflorescence with 5–13 (–20 or more) flowers; corolla mostly purple with yellowish-green centre and white margin within; seeds pale yellow | C. caatingae Barboza & Agra |
5 | Corolla 4.5–6.5 (–8) mm long, with golden spots in the base of the lobes and throat within, purple pigmentation absent; ovules 2 per locule; fruits globose-compressed | C. campylopodium Sendtn. |
– | Corolla 7–8 (–10) mm long, with an obvious purple or brownish zone over the greenish-yellow spots within (occasionally purple pigmentation absent); ovules more than 2 per locule; fruits globose or globose-depressed | C. schottianum Sendtn. |
6 | Corolla rotate, rotate-pentagonal or stellate-rotate; fruiting pedicels always erect, red, usually globose or less frequently ellipsoid; seeds pale yellow | 7 |
– | Corolla stellate; fruiting pedicels always pendent, greenish-yellow, globose; seeds brown to black | 8 |
7 | Corolla mostly white with greenish-yellow spots and white centre, lilac or purple pigmentation absent | C. baccatum var. baccatum |
– | Corolla mostly lilac or purple with greenish-yellow spots and cream centre | C. praetermissum Heiser & P.G. Sm. |
8 | Pedicels non-geniculate, pendent; major leaves small to medium-sized 2.5–6.5 (–9) cm long | C. parvifolium Sendtn. |
– | Pedicels geniculate, erect to oblique; major leaves medium- to large-sized (5–) 6–17 (–25.5) cm long | 9 |
9 | Plants densely pubescent on stems, petioles, pedicels and sometimes also on the leaf nerves beneath, the trichomes spreading; leaves ovate | C. villosum Sendtn. |
– | Plants glabrate to densely pubescent on stems, leaves and pedicels, the trichomes antrorse; leaves elliptic to very narrowly elliptic or lanceolate, less commonly ovate | 10 |
10 | Plants glabrate to sparsely pubescent; major leaves elliptic to ovate, rarely narrowly elliptic (length/width ratio: (2–) 2.5–4 (–4.9), apex acuminate to long acuminate; calyx appendages (0.4–) 0.5–1.5 (–3) mm; corolla (6–) 7.5–12 mm long, (9–) 10–13 mm in diameter | C. mirabile Mart. |
– | Plants moderately to densely pubescent; major leaves narrowly elliptic to lanceolate (length/width ratio: (4–) 5–10 (–16), apex acute to obtuse; calyx appendages (2.8–) 3–4 (–5) mm; corolla (8–) 10–12 mm long, 13–20 mm in diameter | C. carassense Barboza & Bianchetti |
We are indebted to the curators and assistants of the herbaria cited who allowed us to examine material under their care, to L. Fernández and G. Bertone for their invaluable help and assistance in field explorations, the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq; APQ 306086/2017–4), the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET, PIP 0100147), the Secretaría de Ciencia y Técnica (SECyT-UNC, Res. 411/18) and the U.S. National Science Foundation ARTS program (DEB 1457366) for funding. We wish to thank the reviewers for their critical reading of the manuscript.
Searchable CSV file of all specimens examined for C. carassense and C. mirabile
Data type: CSV file