Capsicum flexuosum

Background

Capsicum flexuosum is a member of the genus Capsicum with 2n=2x=24, and native to the New World, specifically the southern regions of Brazil. It is closely related to Capsicum eximium. Unlike most other chili peppers, it is only mildly pungent and has issues with self-compatibility. Natural hybrids between C. eximium have been found, further supporting the relationship of these species.

Contents

• Capsicum flexuosum a very rare wild pepper
• Fioriture di capsicum flexuosum
• Background
• Plant description
• Uses
• References

Plant description

Capsicum flexuosum is identified by its distinctive white, green, and sometimes purple flowers. The flowers have an entire calyx and campanulate corolla that come in various color varieties, but are generally green toward the center changing to white at the petal edges . Mature fruit of C. flexuosum are tiny, berries with a bullet shape about 7 mm long that ripen to red. It is propagated by seed.

Uses

In Brazil, where the plants occur naturally, C. flexusoum is sometimes used as a spice. Also, since it is a wild pepper species, it has been used extensively in phylogenetic studies to better understand the relationships of peppers and different gene models.This species has also been used as a "bridge species" to cross more distantly related Capsicums to those more related to domesticated species.