Capsicum frutescens
Tabasco Pepper
a perennial member of the Capsicum genus in the family Solanaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Solanaceae
- Genus
- Capsicum
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 1 m
- Spread
- 0.6 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[10].
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Fruit - raw or cooked[14][16][2]. Very hot and normally used as a flavouring[7]. The fruit can be dried and ground into a powder for use as a flavouring[4]. The fruit is up to 7.5cm long and 1cm wide[10]. Seed - dried, ground and used as a pepper[8]. Leaves - cooked as a potherb[7]. Some caution is advised, see note at top of the page.
- Product or use
- Condiment
- Plant part
- Fruit
- Plant part
- Leaves
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 dried fruit is a powerful local stimulant with no narcotic effect, it is most useful in atony of the intestines and stomach[15]. It has proved efficacious in dilating blood vessels and thus relieving chronic congestion of people addicted to drink[15]. It is sometimes used as a tonic and is said to be unequalled in warding off disease[15] (probably due to the high vitamin C content[K]). Some caution should be employed, however, since large doses are extremely irritating to the gastro-intestinal system[13]. Used externally, the fruit is a strong rubefacient stimulating the circulation, aiding the removal of waste products and increasing the flow of nutrients to the tissues[12]. It is applied as a cataplasm or liniment[15]. It has also been powdered and placed inside socks as a traditional remedy for those prone to cold feet[12]. A weak infusion can be used as a gargle to treat throat complaints[13]. The fruit is also antihaemorrhoidal, antirheumatic, antiseptic, carminative, diaphoretic, digestive, sialagogue and stomachic[18][5][6]. These pungent fruited peppers are important in the tropics as gastrointestinal detoxifiers and food preservatives[11]. The fruits contain 0.1 - 1.5% capsaicin[12]. This substance stimulates the circulation and alters temperature regulation. Applied to the skin it desensitizes nerve endings and so has been used as a local anaesthetic[12]. The seed contains capsicidins[12]. These are thought to have antibiotic properties[12].
- Product or use
- Anaesthetic
- Product or use
- Antihaemorrhoidal
- Product or use
- Antirheumatic
- Product or use
- Antiseptic
- Product or use
- Carminative
- Product or use
- Diaphoretic
- Product or use
- Digestive
- Product or use
- Irritant
- Product or use
- Rubefacient
- Product or use
- Sialagogue
- Product or use
- Stimulant
- Product or use
- Stomachic
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The growing plant repels insects[9].
- Product or use
- Repellent
Environment
- Range
- Probably native of the Tropics, but the original habitat is obscure.
- Habitat
- Not known in the wild.
- 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[3]. 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 frost-tender perennial that is usually cultivated as an annual[14][17]. It does not commonly do well outdoors in an average British summer and it is usually grown in a greenhouse in this country[1]. However, if a very warm sheltered position outdoors is chosen then reasonable crops could be obtained in good summers. Widely grown throughout the world, but especially in warm temperate to tropical climates for its edible fruit, tabasco peppers. There are many named varieties[2]. The growing plant is a good companion for aubergines[9].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Bianchini. F., Corbetta. F. and Pistoia. M. Fruits of the Earth.
Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan. 1989-00-00
Brouk. B. Plants Consumed by Man. Academic Press 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-12-136450-x
Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 1952-00-00
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-88266-064-0
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148
Stuart. M. (Editor) The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism Orbis Publishing. London. 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-85613-067-2
Harrison. S. Wallis. M. Masefield. G. The Oxford Book of Food Plants. Oxford University Press 1975-00-00
Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202
Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5