Capsicum eshbaughii Barboza, 2011

Barboza, Gloria E., 2011, Lectotypifications, synonymy, and a new name in Capsicum (Solanoideae, Solanaceae), PhytoKeys 2, pp. 23-38 : 29

Capsicum eshbaughii Barboza nom. nov.

Capsicum eximium var. tomentosum Eshbaugh & P.G.Sm., Baileya 18: 15. 1971, non Capsicum tomentosum Kuntze, 1891. - Holotype: BOLIVIA, Dpto. Santa Cruz, Prov. Florida, Mairana area, 1300 m, P.G.Smith Sa281 (holotype, IND!; isotypes: MU! (MU-153648, MU-153649). Fig. 2

General

Capsicum eximium var. tomentosum was described as an unusual glandular tomentose variety of Capsicum eximium Hunz. The presence of this kind of pubescence densely covering the vegetative organs, pedicels, and calyx, and of a 5-10 toothed-calyx ( Fig. 2 N ) in specimens from a restricted area in south-central Bolivia (Dpto. Santa Cruz and Cochabamba) makes them quite different from Capsicum eximium . In fact, Capsicum eximium has non- glandular pubescence ( Fig. 3 M ), a calyx with only 5 teeth ( Fig. 3 C, E ), and is distributed in a larger area (Bolivia: La Paz to Tarija and Argentina: Jujuy to Tucumán).

Glandular hairs are rare in Capsicum . The dense indumentum of Capsicum eshbaughii consists of different types of glandular trichomes, some of them observed only in this species. The hair variations are: long simple hairs with multicellular and verrucate stalks and unicellular stipitate ( Fig. 2 F ) or not stipitate ( Fig. 2 B ) heads; short hairs with bicellular smooth stalks and multicellular heads ( Fig. 2 J ); and bifurcate hairs with both branches ending in a unicellular head ( Fig. 2 L ) or one branch non-glandular and the other longer and glandular ( Fig. 2 H ).

Capsicum eshbaughii , together with Capsicum eximium and Capsicum cardenasii Heiser & P.G.Sm., is known as “ulupica” (Eshbaugh 1943 C); their very pungent fruits are very much appreciated as a spice or as pickles in the kitchens of Bolivia ( Eshbaugh and Smith 1971).

This species is named in honor to Dr. W.H. Eshbaugh (Miami University) who first recognised the distinctness of this species and devoted part of his research to the taxonomy of chili peppers.

Specimens Examined . Bolivia. Cochabamba: José Carrasco Torrico, camino Cochabamba-Comarapa, Copachuncho, ca. 3000 m, 29 Mar 1987, D.Flores 89 (CORD, LPB). Santa Cruz: Florida, El Sauce, west of Samaipata, elev. 1730 m, 30 Mar 1987, W.H.Eshbaugh 1943 C & D (CORD); same locality, 1 Aug 1990, W.H.Eshbaugh 1943 a (CORD); 5 km (by air) SE of Mairana, on road to Samaipata, at "Quebrada Seca", 18 º 09' S, 63 º 56' W, ca. 1550 m, 4 Feb 1988, M.Nee 36164 (CORD).

Figures

Figure 2. Capsicum eshbaughii. A embryo B, H, F, J, L glandular trichomes C fruit D non-glandular trichome E flowering branch G flower I gynoecium K seed M open corolla N fruiting calyx. Line drawing by P. Peralta; voucher A, C, K, N Nee 36164; B, D-J, L, M Eshbaugh 1943 b.

Figure 3. Capsicum eximium. A, J anthers in ventral and dorsal view respectively B flowering branch C flower D, G transverse section of the seed coat E fruit F embryo H gynoecium I seed K open corolla L seed in cross section M non-glandular trichome. Line drawing by N. Flury; voucher A, C-M: Hunziker 1907; B, Hunziker 7346.