Carapichea lucida
This newly discovered member of the coffee family was found in the threatened Atlantic Forest of southern Bahia, Brazil.
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
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.
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Related Species
This species belongs to...
Fact Box
Aristolochia grandiflora
pelican flower
Pelican flower produces enormous trumpet-shaped flowers, which smell of rotting meat and attract flies and wasps as its pollinators.
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