Carapichea lucida

This newly discovered member of the coffee family was found in the threatened Atlantic Forest of southern Bahia, Brazil.

Carapichea lucida J.G.Jardim & Zappi
Carapichea lucida

Species information

  • Scientific name: Carapichea lucida J.G.Jardim & Zappi
  • Conservation status: Rated by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) as Vulnerable (VU).
  • Habitat: Atlantic Forest, restricted to the state of Bahia, Brazil.
  • Known hazards: unknown

Taxonomy

  • Class: Equisetopsida
  • Subclass: Magnoliidae
  • Superorder: Asteranae
  • Order: Gentianales
  • Family: Rubiaceae
  • Genus: Carapichea

About this species

Carapichea lucida was discovered by Jomar Jardim and Kew botanist Daniela Zappi whilst they were carrying out fieldwork in relation to a Rubiaceae (coffee family) course, while Jomar was studying for a PhD under Daniela’s supervision. This discovery is particularly interesting because Carapichea lucida‘s closest ally originates from the Amazon. The Atlantic Forest of Brazil is one of the world’s most endangered environments, in part because its location coincides with the most heavily populated part of Brazil, and where colonisers first arrived over 400 years ago.

Kew has been involved in the study and cataloguing of the plants of Bahia for over 30 years, and has assisted staff in Brazil to develop research in floristic inventories and other baseline research.

Geography & Distribution

Carapichea lucida is found only in the Atlantic Forest of eastern Bahia, Brazil.

Description

Carapichea lucida is a shrub that grows up to two metres tall. The leaves are opposite (inserted at the same point on the stem), simple (undivided), green, hairless, shiny and 14 to 16 cm long. The flowers occur in heads surrounded by green bracts. The flowers have five white petals that are joined to form a tube, and five stamens (male, pollen-bearing parts). The fruit is juicy, less than 2 cm long, egg-shaped, and deep purple when ripe. It is thought that the flowers are likely to be pollinated by bees or other insects, and the fruits are dispersed by birds.

Threats & Conservation

This plant is threatened by the reduction of its natural habitat, due to deforestation in the region. Trees are being felled to clear land for agriculture (for pasture and cocoa plantations).

Uses

No uses are known for this species, but another species of the genus found in Brazil, Carapichea ipecacuanha, has long been used as a cough medicine (the ipecacuanha of pharmacists), to the extent that it is now rare in the wild.

Useful Links

Find out more about Kew's work on the Rubiaceae of Brazil

Kew science teams: Drylands - Tropical America

Tropical America - find out more about Kew's conservation work in this region

More about the coffee family

Search Kew's science databases for more information on this species

References & Credits

Kew Science Editor: Daniela Zappi
Copy editing: Emma Trewell
Kew would like to thank the following contributor: Jomar Gomes Jardim

While every effort has been taken to ensure that the information contained in these pages is reliable and complete, the notes on hazards, edibility and suchlike included here are recorded information and do not constitute recommendations. No responsibility will be taken for readers’ own actions. Full website terms and conditions.
 

Follow Kew

Keep up to date with events and news from Kew

Sign up to Kew News
 

Related Species

 

This species belongs to...

Fact Box


Carnegiea gigantea forest

Carnegiea gigantea
saguaro cactus

Living up to 200 years, the saguaro cactus can grow up to 20 m tall and weigh up to 12,000 kg.

Find out more about this species

Related Tags

  1. edible
  2. medicinal
  3. clever
  4. extraordinary
  5. healing
  6. valuable
  7. collectable
  8. newly discovered
  9. unusual
  10. scarce
  11. rare
  12. discovered
  13. old
  14. around the world
  15. adventurous
  16. ancient
  17. historical
  18. interesting
  19. agriculture
  20. ancient
  21. amazing
  22. beautiful
  23. inspiring
  24. landscapes
  25. rare
  26. ornamental
  27. new
  28. flowering
  29. of use
  30. wild
  31. passionate
  32. tasty
  33. big
  34. weed
  35. common
  36. mysterious
  37. fruity
  38. pretty
  39. endangered
  40. irreplaceable
  41. massive
  42. ground breaking
  43. creative
  44. fun
  45. imaginative
  46. popular
  47. exotic
  48. dangerous
  49. poisonous
  50. fragrant
  51. vibrant
  52. spiky
  53. essential
  54. english garden
  55. garden plants

Plants & Fungi blogs from Kew

RSS Feed for the blog Millennium Seed Bank blog

Durian - the king of fruit

by: Wolfgang Stuppy, Millennium Seed Bank blog
03 Jun 2013
The southeast Asian plant Durian has been called the King of Fruits but, like Marmite, it sharply divides opinion between those who love the incredible taste of its custard-like pulp and those who are revolted by its putrid smell.
RSS Feed for the blog GIS team blog

Mapping Coffee in Ethiopia part two

by: Paul Little, GIS team blog
08 May 2013
Kew photographer Paul Little has just returned from accompanying a field trip to the Highlands of Ethiopia to research the impact of climate change on the vital coffee crop. Read part two of his diary of the trip.
RSS Feed for the blog Millennium Seed Bank blog

Seed collecting on Mount Kilimanjaro

by: Emma Williams, Millennium Seed Bank blog
18 Apr 2013
Kew Gardens botanist Emma Williams recounts her experiences on a recent seed collecting expedition to Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

Kew News Alert

All Kew News

Incredibles
See your favourite reasons to visit