Capsicum rhomboideum
Capsicum rhomboideum (Dunal) Kuntze
Capsicum rhomboideum is a perennial shrub or small tree in the Solanaceae family, native to regions including Mexico, Central America, and the Andean region of South America. It can grow up to 5 m tall, with a distinctive bark and variable leaf morphology. The species produces non-pungent, bright red fruits that turn dark burgundy. It has a complex trichome structure, including simple and branched types, and is one of the most polymorphic and widely distributed wild Capsicum species.
Description
Capsicum rhomboideum is a member of the Andean clade of the genus Capsicum. It is a shrub or tree with a main stem up to 2.5 cm in diameter at the base, and branches that are erect or decumbent. The bark is longitudinally ridged, grey, dark brown, or brownish-purple, with abundant lenticels. Leaves are membranous, discolorous, and vary in shape from ovate to rhomboid-ovate. The species is distinguished by its yellow, campanulate corollas and non-pungent, bright red fruits that mature to dark burgundy. The fruits are small (5–9 mm in diameter) and contain small, dark brown seeds. Trichome variation is notable, with simple and branched types present. Leaf shape and pubescence are highly variable, contributing to the species' extensive synonymy. The plant is found in a wide range of regions across the Americas.
Distribution
Antioquia, Cauca, Cesar, Cundinamarca, Huila, La Guajira, Magdalena, Nariño, Norte de Santander, Tolima, Valle del Cauca · Subregiones: Norte · Parque Nacional Natural Macuira · Bucaramanga · Antioquia, Caldas, Cauca, Cundinamarca, La Guajira, Huila, Magdalena, Nariño, Norte de Santander, Santander, Tolima, Valle · Global · Brazil Northeast · Colombia · Costa Rica · Ecuador · El Salvador · Guatemala · Honduras · Mexico Central · Mexico Gulf · Mexico Northeast · Mexico Southeast · Mexico Southwest · Nicaragua · Peru · Venezuelan Antilles · Venezuela · Pasto
Synonyms
Brachistus ciliatusBrachistus diversifoliusBrachistus dumetorumBrachistus haughtiiBrachistus mollisBrachistus pringleiBrachistus rhomboideusBrachistus vargasiiCapsicum aggregatumCapsicum ciliatumCapsicum diversifoliumCapsicum dumetorumCapsicum haughtiiCapsicum mendaxCapsicum molleCapsicum pringleiCapsicum vargasiiFregirardia ciliataFregirardia dumetorumFregirardia luteifloraFregirardia luteifloraFregirardia mollisFregirardia rhomboideaFregirardia vargasiiSolanum dumetorumSolanum mendaxWitheringia ciliataWitheringia diversifoliaWitheringia dumetorumWitheringia mollis