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Capsicum Species of West Africa

Abstract

THERE is still considerable confusion in the classification of the genus Capsicum. While some authorities disagree as to whether all the cultivated varieties should belong to a single variable species or to the two species, C. annum and C. frutescens recognized by Linnæus1–6, others have recognized more species7,8. The number of pedicels per leaf axil has been one of the main characters used in the classification of the genus. Recently, Wilson9, following Smith and Heiser8, has used 3–5 pedicels at each node and the circular constriction at the base of the calyx in fruit to distinguish a third species C. sinense Jacq. in West Africa.

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OYOLU, C. Capsicum Species of West Africa. Nature 184, 1163–1164 (1959). https://doi.org/10.1038/1841163b0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/1841163b0

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