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Capsicum pubescens - Ruiz.&Pav.

Tree Pepper

Author	Ruiz.&Pav.	Botanical references	200
Family	Solanaceae	Genus	Capsicum
Synonyms
Known Hazards	Although no reports have been seen for this species, many plants in this family produce toxins in their leaves. The sap of the plant can cause the skin to blister[200].
Range	S. America - Andes.
Habitat	Not known
Edibility Rating	3 (1-5)	Medicinal Rating	3 (1-5)

Physical Characteristics

Perennial growing to 3m by 2m.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid and very alkaline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires moist soil.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds; South Wall By; West Wall By;

Cultivars: (as above except)
'Cuzco'

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit.

Edible Uses: Condiment.

Fruit - raw or cooked[238]. The distinctive thick-fleshed pungent fruits are used as a vegetable condiment or made into a sauce[183]. A hot pungent flavour, it is mainly used as a flavouring in cooked foods[238]. In Peru the seeds are removed, the fruit stuffed with a savoury filling and then baked[183]. The fruit can be dried and ground into a powder for use as a pepper-like condiment[238].

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.

Antihaemorrhoidal; Antirheumatic; Digestive; Irritant; Rubefacient; Sialagogue.

The hot and pungent fruit is antihaemorrhoidal when taken in small amounts, antirheumatic, antiseptic, diaphoretic, digestive, irritant, rubefacient, sialagogue and tonic[7, 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].

Other Uses

The growing plant repels insects[20].

Cultivation details

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 only likely to be hardy in the milder areas of Britain, it can tolerate temperatures down to at least -5°c[238]. It might be possible to get it to fruit outdoors in the mildest areas of the country, especially if given the protection of a sunny wall[K]. Plants are able to continue fruiting for 15 years in cool moist climates[238].

Propagation

Seed - sow late winter to early spring in a warm greenhouse[138]. The seed usually germinates in 3 - 4 weeks at 20°c. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots of reasonably rich soil and grow them on fast. If trying them outdoors, then plant them out after the last expected frosts and give them the protection of a cloche or frame at least until they are established and growing away well.

Cultivars

'Cuzco'

The heavy squat fruit has a thick, sweet, flavourful flesh with an extremely hot seed core[183]. A bushy, thick-trunked plant that bears prolifically and is perennial in warm climates[183]. It tolerates light frosts[183].

Links

References

[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[7] Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984 ISBN 0-356-10541-5
Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.

[20] Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 1978 ISBN 0-88266-064-0
Fairly good.

[138] Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan. 1989
Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation.

[183] Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[238] Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.

Readers Comments

Plants for a Future does not verify the accuracy of reader comments, use at your own risk. In particular Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. You should always consult a professional before using plants medicinally.

Capsicum pubescens

david nicholls Fri Jan 4 2008

I wonder if C.pubescens can support its' own weight. Deni Bown says it "may be espaliered or pruned", I've just grown a seedling 6 inches tall, it's already pretty floppy. I think i might stake it if it does have a problem with being erect, I like the idea of a 10 ft pepper. Any advice or suggestions?

Capsicum pubescens

Jo Bill Tue Dec 8 2009

there's a one year old C. pubescens with two peppers by the window. the eight inch plant is supporting itself

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