Taxonomic Revision of Lycianthes (Capsiceae, Solanaceae) in Brazil

Abstract Lycianthes, comprising approximately 200 species, is one of the largest genera of the Solanaceae family. The taxonomy of the genus is considered difficult, and for more than a century its species were included in Solanum. Despite its relative diversity, Lycianthes has only a small number of diagnostic characters and has accumulated nomenclatural and systematic problems throughout its history, reflecting its great similarity with Solanum. Information concerning the genus in Brazil is still scarce, and the present work was designed to provide a taxonomic treatment and revisionary study of the Brazilian members of Lycianthes. The circumscriptions of the species presented here are based on evaluations of more than 700 specimens from both Brazilian and foreign herbaria and the examination of types and images from virtual herbaria. Lycianthes is represented in Brazil by 12 species belonging to Lycianthes subgenus Polymeris, with three subordinate sections (Lycianthes sects. Asaropsis, Simplicipila, and Eupolymeris). We provide keys to separate the three sections and the 12 Brazilian species of Lycianthes and include synonymy, typification, updated descriptions, distributions, and illustrations of all treated species.