Genetic and biochemical systematic studies of chili peppers (Capsicum, Solanaceae)

The genus Capsicum encompasses approximately 20-30 taxa, including 4-5 domesticated species, all of which were originally native to the New World. During the past 25 years cytotaxonomic and plant breeding techniques have been especially useful in gaining an understanding of several wild and domesticated species-pairs each of which may well represent a wild progenitor and its associated domesticate. The data available argue strongly for the polyphyletic origin of the four known domesticated species. Recent investigations using the biochemical systematic method of chromatography and subsequent flavonoid analysis have generally corroborated earlier findings.