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Summary
Native to Central America and grown as vegetable, Bonnet Pepper or Capsicum chinense is a tropical herb that is 70-80 cm tall. It has various varieties that are known for their extraordinary heat and flavour. The leaves are compound with each leaf composed of 3 leaflets. The flowers found in the axils of leaves. They are white and occur singly or in clusters of two. The fruit is used as a flavouring and spice. It has tonic and antiseptic properties. It increases perspiration, reduces pain sensitivity, and stimulates the circulatory and digestive systems. It is further used against fevers, varicose veins, asthma, sprains, etc.
Other common names are yellow lantern chili and squash pepper,
Aji, Aji dulce, Ati, Habanero, Scotch Bonnet peppers,
Physical Characteristics
Capsicum chinense is an evergreen Shrub growing to 1.5 m (5ft) by 1.5 m (5ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid and very alkaline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Capsicum sinense Murray Capsicum toxicarium Poepp. ex Fingerh.
Plant Habitats
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses: Condiment
The extremely hot and pungent fruits are commonly used as a flavouring in savoury dishes[ 301 ]. Well known for their exceptional heat and unique flavor. The fruits vary in size and shape, ranging from 6mm in diameter, smooth and rounded, to wrinkled and elongated and up to 10cm long[ 418 ]
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antiasthmatic Antiseptic Diaphoretic Digestive Febrifuge Tonic
The pungent fruit has tonic and antiseptic properties, stimulates the circulatory and digestive systems and increases perspiration[ 238 ]. It also irritates the tissues, increasing blood supply to the area and reducing sensitivity to pain[ 238 ]. It is taken internally in the treatment of the cold stage of fevers, debility in convalescence or old age, varicose veins, asthma and digestive problems[ 238 ]. Externally it is used in the treatment of sprains, unbroken chilblains, neuralgia, pleurisy etc[ 238 ].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Can be used as an ornamental for their bright colourful fruit.
Special Uses
Food Forest
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
The plant is often cultivated as an annual in the tropics and subtropics. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 20 - 26°c, but can tolerate 15 - 32°c[ 418 ]. It is not tolerant of frosts[ K ]. It succeeds with a mean annual rainfall in the range 600 - 1,250mm, but tolerates 500 - 1,500mm[ 418 ]. Requires a very warm sunny position and a humus-rich, fertile, well-drained loam[ 300 ]. Prefers a light sandy soil that is slightly acid[ 201 ]. Prefers a pH in the range of 5.5 - 5.6[ 300 ], but tolerates 4.3 to 8.3. Another report says that it prefers a pH in the range 6 - 6.5, tolerating 5.3 - 7[ 418 ]. When grown as an annual, the plant takes 120 - 150 days from sowing to first harvest of the fruit[ 418 ]. There are many named varieties[ 301 ].
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
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Plant Propagation
Seed. In cooler climates, Capsicum chinense does not usually survive the winter. However, it will readily germinate from the previous year's seed in the following growing season.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Bonnet Pepper or Capsicum chinense. Other common names are yellow lantern chili and squash pepper. Other Names: Aji, Aji dulce, Ati, Habanero, Scotch Bonnet peppers, Squash pepper, Yellow lantern chili
Native Range
SOUTHERN AMERICA: Bolivia, Brazil North, Peru,
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
None Known
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
Jacq.
Botanical References
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.
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Subject : Capsicum chinense
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