Practical
Plants

Capsicum baccatum

Locoto

a perennial member of the Capsicum genus in the family Solanaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
2 m
Spread
1 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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[3].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Fruit - raw or cooked[4]. A medium to very hot pungent flavour, it is mainly used as a flavouring in cooked foods[4]. The fruit can be dried and ground into a powder for use as a pepper-like condiment[4]. The fruit is up to 13cm long[4].

Product or use
Condiment
Plant part
Fruit

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The hot and pungent fruit is antihaemorrhoidal when taken in small amounts, antirheumatic, antiseptic, diaphoretic, digestive, irritant, rubefacient, sialagogue and tonic[7][4]. 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[4]. Externally it is used in the treatment of sprains, unbroken chilblains, neuralgia, pleurisy etc[4].

Product or use
Antihaemorrhoidal
Product or use
Antirheumatic
Product or use
Digestive
Product or use
Irritant
Product or use
Rubefacient
Product or use
Sialagogue

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The growing plant repels insects[2].

Environment

Range
S. America - Ecuador and the Andes
Habitat
Not known
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 9+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
very acid, acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow late winter to early spring in a warm greenhouse[1]. 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.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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 a half-hardy perennial that can tolerate light frosts[4]. The sub-species C. baccata pendulum is hardier than the type and more likely to be successful in temperate climates[4]. It might be possible to grow it outdoors in the mildest areas of the country, especially if given the protection of a sunny wall[K]. It is usually cultivated as an annual when grown for its fruits[5][6].

References

  1. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan. 1989-00-00

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  2. Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-88266-064-0

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  3. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

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  4. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9

  5. Harrison. S. Wallis. M. Masefield. G. The Oxford Book of Food Plants. Oxford University Press 1975-00-00

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  6. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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  7. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

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