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Capsicum pubescens |
Chili peppers |
Solanaceae |
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http://en.wikipedia.org |
Capsicum pubescens 1
page |
Scoville heat units |
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15,000,000–16,000,000 |
Pure
capsaicin |
8,600,000–9,100,000 |
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5,000,000–5,300,000 |
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855,000–1,463,700 |
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350,000–580,000 |
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100,000–350,000 |
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50,000–100,000 |
C. pubescens
50,000 - 250,000 |
30,000–50,000 |
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10,000–23,000 |
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2,500–8,000 |
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500–2,500 |
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100–500 |
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0 |
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Capsicum pubescens is a species of the genus Capsicum (pepper),
which is found primarily in Central and South America. The name
component pubescens means hairy, which refers to the hairy leaves of
this pepper. The plants, but especially the fruits, are often
referred to as rocoto (Quechua: ruqutu) and locoto (Aymara: luqutu).
As they reach a relatively advanced age and the roots lignify
quickly, sometimes the familiar name is tree chili. Of all the
domesticated species of peppers, this is the least widespread and
systematically furthest away from all others. A very notable feature
of this species is its ability to withstand cooler temperatures than
other pepper plants.
Vegetative characteristics
Like all other species of the genus Capsicum, plants of the
species Capsicum pubescens grow as a shrub, but sometimes as
climbing plants. They grow into four-meter woody plants relatively
quickly, and live up to 15 years, which gives them, especially with
age, an almost tree-like appearance. After a first impulse is
formed, the plant branches at a height of about 30 cm for the first
time, and forms during growth by further dividing into a bushy
appearance. More shoots develop from the leaf axils. Some varieties
have purple discoloration on the branches, as can be observed in
other Capsicum species. The leaves have a 5–12 mm long petiole and a
leaf blade ovate to 5–12 cm long, 2.5 to 4 cm wide, tapering at the
top and the base is wedge-shaped.
In addition to the relatively long life, Capsicum pubescens
differs in many other characteristics from related species. Most
striking is the eponymous coat, which is on leaves, stems, and
sometimes found on the sepals of the flowers.
Flowers
The flowers appear singly or in pairs (rarely up to four) on the
shoots, and the branches are at about 1 cm long flower stems, which
extend on the fruit to around 4–5 cm. The cup is filled with five
triangular pointed teeth, which have in the fruit of a length of
about 1 mm. Distinct characteristic to other cultivated species of
the genus Capsicum are the blue-violet-colored petals, used for the
center part brighter. Although just as impressive in other ways -
such as Capsicum annuum - isolated from varieties with purple
flowers, but often only the edges of the petals colored. Sometimes
the crown leaves are hood-shaped, the intertwined portions of the
crown leaves are folded clear. The anthers are stained purple.
Distribution and native habitat
In the wild
The natural range of Capsicum Pubescens is primarily
north-eastern South America, as well as southern Central America. It
is believed to have evolved from other, more primitive Capsicum
species also occurring in the same area.
In agriculture
C. pubescens is grown almost exclusively as the variety "Rocoto"
and is a popular form of chilli with the people of the area. While
there other pubescens species, most are not cultivated and remain
wild. Furthermore, most of these are now relatively scarce |
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