| Cobincho Pepper | |
| Capsicum exile | |
| a.k.a. Capsicum chacoense |
A rare wild pepper commonly listed as a distinct species (Capsicum exile), though it may well be a variant of another wild pepper, Capsicum chacoense. Yields small, orange-red colored fruits with a hot flavor.
Description: Small, shrubby growth similar to standard peppers, to 2-4 feet. The leaves are smaller than most common varieties. Flowers are also small, white, similar to C. annuum. Fruits grow to to 1/2-3/4" long, with a sort of straight, blunted and oval shape.
Hardiness: Not frost hardy. Can be overwintered in warm areas.
Growing Environment: Grows nicely in full or filtered sun. Not too picky about exacting conditions, though humidity and moderate water would seem to encourage strong growth. This species also grows fairly well indoors and is easy to overwinter for added fruit production in following years.
Propagation: By seeds, which can be quite slow and occasionally difficult to germinate.
Uses: Fruits can be used like standard hot peppers and have a fairly hot flavor. As it is a wild pepper and of a different species than common peppers, it also makes a popular ornamental and collector's plant.
Native Range: Native to Bolivia.