Capsicum chacoense
Encyclopedia
Capsicum chacoense is a species of the genus Capsicum
which is native to South America
. While it has not been cultivated by humans (It exists only in the wild), it, like all Capsicums, is perfectly edible, with a heat rating of 7.
, Bolivia
, and Paraguay
, and for the most part is only known to occur in its native region.
pest deterrent owing to its intense heat, this has not been utilized like it has with other species like C. chinense "Bhut Jolokia" or C. chinense "Naga Morich
".
Capsicum
Capsicum is a genus of flowering plants in the nightshade family, Solanaceae. Its species are native to the Americas where they have been cultivated for thousands of years, but they are now also cultivated worldwide, used as spices, vegetables, and medicines - and have become are a key element in...
which is native to South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
. While it has not been cultivated by humans (It exists only in the wild), it, like all Capsicums, is perfectly edible, with a heat rating of 7.
Plant characteristics
Chacoense plants are compact perennial (annual in cooler climates) shrubs that grow close to the ground and grow up to 1 metre in height and width. The flowers appear in summer and are small, white flowers with five petals. The fruit grows to be around three centimetres in length when fully ripe, and is bright red in colour, with a roundish/triangular shape. Plants tend to crop heavily each season and in warm areas can easily keep producing for four or five years. The plant's leaves are large, flat, and roundish, with a point at the end. The plant branches evenly, forming a small small to medium shrub in most cases.Distribution
C. chacoense is native to ArgentinaArgentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
, Bolivia
Bolivia
Bolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America...
, and Paraguay
Paraguay
Paraguay , officially the Republic of Paraguay , is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Paraguay lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the center of the...
, and for the most part is only known to occur in its native region.
Cultivation and agricultural use
This chilli variety is not known to have ever been cultivated for food or any other purpose, and while it could be useful as a mammilianMammal
Mammals are members of a class of air-breathing vertebrate animals characterised by the possession of endothermy, hair, three middle ear bones, and mammary glands functional in mothers with young...
pest deterrent owing to its intense heat, this has not been utilized like it has with other species like C. chinense "Bhut Jolokia" or C. chinense "Naga Morich
Naga Morich
The Naga Morich is a chilli pepper native to Assam, North India, and Sylhet region of Bangladesh. Known as the sister chilli to the Bhut Jolokia, or Ghost Chilli. The Naga Morich bears many similarities to its sister, but is genetically different...
".