Capsicum caatingae

Information

Capsicum caatingae is a wild Capsicum species endemic to Brazil, restricted to the Caatinga biome, a semi-arid region characterised by highly specialised flora and fauna. The species is adapted to arid environments typical of central and northeastern Brazil. It is distinguished from other members of the genus by several morphological traits, including the absence of calyx teeth and the presence of an annular constriction in mature fruits. The plant has glabrous leaves and produces flowers and fruits in fascicles that may contain up to 15 to 20 units. Flowers are pendulous and non-geniculate, with a corolla displaying a distinctive sequence of colours: light green in the throat, followed by yellow, dark violet, violet, and white at the lobes. Fruits mature from greenish to yellowish tones and contain straw-coloured to brownish seeds. Capsicum caatingae is diploid with a chromosome number of 2n = 2x = 24, consistent with other Capsicum species adapted to Brazil's arid biomes.