Capsicum baccatum
L.
Peruvian pepper
(c) aacocucci, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by aacocucci
(c) Franco Carramiñana, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Franco Carramiñana
(c) Manuel Martín Vicente, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
What to Eat
Edible parts: Leaves, Fruit, Spice, Vegetable
The fruit has a medium to very hot pungent flavour and is mainly used as a flavouring in cooked foods. It can be dried and ground into a powder for use as a pepper-like condiment. Individual fruits grow up to 13cm long.
Known Hazards
Where to Find It
A tropical plant. It grows from sea level up to 1600 m altitude in Argentina. It needs a temperature above 4-13°C depending on cultivar.
Africa, Andes, Angola, Argentina, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil, Cape Verde, Central America, Chad, Colombia, Congo DR, Congo R, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Ecuador, Europe, Guatemala, Haiti, Hawaii, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Japan, Leeward Is., Madagascar, Mexico, Mozambique, North America, Pacific, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, South America, Trinidad-Tobago, Turkey, Türkiye, Uruguay, USA, Venezuela, West Indies, Zambia,
How to Identify
A spreading shrubby plant. It grows 3 m high and spreads 1.5-2 m wide. The leaves are sword shaped and 1.5-3 cm long by 2-2.5 cm wide. The flowers are white or yellow and 1 cm across and in the axils of leaves. The fruit are small. The fruit is 8-10 mm long by 5 mm across. They are green or red. There are several named cultivated varieties.
How to Grow
Requires a very warm sunny position and a fertile well-drained soil. Tolerates a pH in the range 4.3 to 8.3. This species is a half-hardy perennial that can tolerate light frosts. The sub-species C. baccata pendulum is hardier than the type and more likely to be successful in temperate climates. It might be possible to grow it outdoors in the mildest areas of the country, especially if given the protection of a sunny wall. It is usually cultivated as an annual when grown for its fruits.
Propagation: Sow seed in late winter to early spring in a warm greenhouse; germination typically takes 3–4 weeks at 20°C. Prick seedlings out into individual pots of reasonably rich soil and grow on quickly. For outdoor cultivation, plant out after the last expected frosts and protect with a cloche or frame until plants are well established.
Medicinal Uses
The hot, pungent fruit is antihaemorrhoidal when taken in small amounts, antirheumatic, antiseptic, diaphoretic, digestive, irritant, rubefacient, sialagogue, and tonic. Internally it is used in the treatment of the cold stage of fevers, debility in convalescence or old age, varicose veins, asthma, and digestive problems. Externally it is applied in the treatment of sprains, unbroken chilblains, neuralgia, and pleurisy. The German Commission E Monographs approve Capsicum for muscular tension and rheumatism.
Other Uses
The growing plant repels insects.
Wikipedia
Source ↗Capsicum baccatum, also simply referred to as ají (Spanish: [aˈxi]), is a member of the genus Capsicum, and is one of the five domesticated chili pepper species. The fruit tends to be very pungent and registers 30,000 to 50,000 on the Scoville heat unit scale.
Other Information
It is a commercially cultivated vegetable.
Notes
There are 10 Capsicum species.
Names & Synonyms
Aji, Aji amarillo, Aji mirasol, Aji puta pario, Andeanchili, Aribibi, Boopaish, Camari, Cumari, Kiimi, Locoto, Pimenta-cumari, Pimenta-cumbari, Pimento, Sakay lakilosy, Uchu, Zacu quey
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