The genus ‘Capsicum’ consists of different types of chile pepper plants. ‘Chile pepper’ is also known as ‘chili pepper’ or ‘chilli pepper.’ Chile peppers belong to the genus Capsicum and family Solanaceae. Chile peppers are one of the most valuable crops cultivated across the globe. There are about 30 species of plants in the genus ‘Capsicum’; however only 5 species are domesticated or cultivated on a large scale. Rest of the species are found in the wild. Chile peppers are believed to be originated in the Americas.
Five cultivated/domesticated species of chile peppers are Capsicum chinense, Capsicum pubescens, Capsicum annuum, Capsicum baccatum, and Capsicum frutescens. Among these, Capsicum annuum is the most cultivated chile pepper species. Most of the chile pepper varieties that are available in the market belong to the group Capsicum annuum.
There are several wild species of chile pepper plants that can be exploited for commercial cultivation. Capsicum cardenasii is a wild species of chile pepper. Most of the wild species of capsicums are of Brazilian origin. Major among them are Capsicum caatingae, Capsicum recurvatum, Capsicum mirabile, Capsicum dusenii, Capsicum longidentatum, Capsicum leptopodum, Capsicum buforum, and Capsicum campylopodium.
Capsicum dimorphum, Capsicum geminifolium and Capsicum hookerianum are wild capsicum species native to the region comprising of Colombia and Ecuador. Capsicum coccineum and Capsicum minutiflorum are wild capsicum species native to Bolivia and surrounding regions. Capsicum scolnikianum and Capsicum tovarii are wild capsicum species native to Peru.
Other wild species of capsicums include Capsicum cardenasii, Capsicum chacoense, Capsicum cornutum, Capsicum exile, Capsicum eximium, Capsicum galapagoense, Capsicum lanceolatum, Capsicum parvifolium, Capsicum praetermissum, Capsicum rhomboideum, Capsicum schottianum, and Capsicum villosum.
Capsicum cardenasii: Capsicum cardenasii is a wild species of capsicum. It is a member of Capsicum pubescens complex. The plant is a close relative to Capsicum eximium. The plant is believed to be a native to the Andes, and is found growing in Bolivia also. The plant is called “ulupica”in its native places. A popular cultivar is ‘Wild Dynamo’.
Plant Description: It is a perennial shrub with woody stems. The plant grows up to a height of 1 meter and width of 50 cm upon full growth. Leaves are shiny green with an erect petiole, and are narrow with a pointed tip. Leaves are lanceolate and pubescent (with hairs).
Flower and Fruit Description: Flowers are tubular and purple-coloured. Flowers (one or two) are produced at the internodes. Flowers are campanulate (bell-shaped), and pendant. Fruits are small berries with a round shape. Ripe fruits are fleshy, red in colour and are highly pungent (30,000 SHU). Fruits are used as a spice. Fruits are sometimes called as ‘chiltepins’.
Growing Practices: Like other chile peppers, C. cardenasii is also tropical in growth habit and requires very warm, humid, frost-free climate with lots of sunlight for its growth. The plant can successfully be grown in open, sunny locations. It prefers highly fertile, humus-rich, well-drained loamy soils with pH in the range of 5.5 – 5.6. Propagation is by seeds and seeds germinate in 3 – 4 weeks. Transplanting is done when seedlings are about 8 – 10cm tall. The plant is resistant to tobacco mosaic virus (TMV).
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