Tree Pepper, Rocoto

Capsicum pubescens

Physical Characteristics

Capsicum pubescens is a PERENNIAL growing to 3 m (9ft) by 2 m (6ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is frost tender. It is in flower from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). 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.

Distribution

S. America - Andes.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

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

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]. The German Commission E Monographs, a therapeutic guide to herbal medicine, approve Capsicum for muscular tension, rheumatism (see [302] for critics of commission E).

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]. Avoid in patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitor antidepressants and antihypertensive drugs [301].