Bonnet Pepper, Chinese capsicum
Capsicum chinense

Family: Solanaceae

What it is like

Native to Central America and grown as vegetable, Bonnet Pepper or Capsicum chinense is a tropical herb that is 70-80 cm tall. It has various varieties that are known for their extraordinary heat and flavour. The leaves are compound with each leaf composed of 3 leaflets. The flowers found in the axils of leaves. They are white and occur singly or in clusters of two. The fruit is used as a flavouring and spice. It has tonic and antiseptic properties. It increases perspiration, reduces pain sensitivity, and stimulates the circulatory and digestive systems. It is further used against fevers, varicose veins, asthma, sprains, etc. Other common names are yellow lantern chili and squash pepper, Aji, Aji dulce, Ati, Habanero, Scotch Bonnet peppers,

Capsicum chinense is an evergreen Shrub growing to 1.5 m (5ft) by 1.5 m (5ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. 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.

Height (m): 1.5

Where it is found

A tropical plant.

Western S. America - Brazil to the West Indies.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

Found In: Africa, Amazon, Australia, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Caribbean, Central America, Cook Islands, Ghana, Mexico, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North America, Pacific, Puerto Rico, South America, USA, West Africa, West Indies.

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

The extremely hot and pungent fruits are commonly used as a flavouring in savoury dishes. Well known for their exceptional heat and unique flavor. The fruits vary in size and shape, ranging from 6mm in diameter, smooth and rounded, to wrinkled and elongated and up to 10cm long

Condiment: the various plants that are used as flavourings, either as herbs, spices or condiments.

Medicine

Rating: 4

The pungent fruit has tonic and antiseptic properties, stimulates the circulatory and digestive systems and increases perspiration. It also irritates the tissues, increasing blood supply to the area and reducing sensitivity to pain. 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. Externally it is used in the treatment of sprains, unbroken chilblains, neuralgia, pleurisy etc.

Antiasthmatic: Treats asthma.

Antiseptic: Preventing sepsis, decay or putrefaction, it destroys or arrests the growth of micro-organisms.

Diaphoretic: Induces perspiration.

Digestive: Aids digestion.

Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.

Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

Other

Rating: 1

Can be used as an ornamental for their bright colourful fruit.

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

How it is grown

The plant is often cultivated as an annual in the tropics and subtropics. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 20 - 26°c, but can tolerate 15 - 32°c. It is not tolerant of frosts. It succeeds with a mean annual rainfall in the range 600 - 1,250mm, but tolerates 500 - 1,500mm. Requires a very warm sunny position and a humus-rich, fertile, well-drained loam. Prefers a light sandy soil that is slightly acid. Prefers a pH in the range of 5.5 - 5.6, but tolerates 4.3 to 8.3. Another report says that it prefers a pH in the range 6 - 6.5, tolerating 5.3 - 7. When grown as an annual, the plant takes 120 - 150 days from sowing to first harvest of the fruit. There are many named varieties.

Propagating it: Seed. In cooler climates, Capsicum chinense does not usually survive the winter. However, it will readily germinate from the previous year's seed in the following growing season.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Bonnet Pepper or Capsicum chinense. Other common names are yellow lantern chili and squash pepper. Other Names: Aji, Aji dulce, Ati, Habanero, Scotch Bonnet peppers, Squash pepper, Yellow lantern chili

Synonyms

Capsicum sinense Murray Capsicum toxicarium Poepp. ex Fingerh.