Common Name: Locoto

General Information

Capsicum baccatum is a perennial plant growing around 2 metres tall. In cultivation it is usually treated as an annual[, ].
The plant is often cultivated, usually as an annual crop, for its hot, pungent fruit. This fruit is more often dried and then used to flavour other foods, it also has a range of medicinal qualities.

Known Hazards

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[].

Botanical References

Range

S. America - northern Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia.

Habitat

Not known

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	2.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated

Cultivation Details

A plant of the tropics, able to be cultivated in the subtropics and warm temperate zones. It is found at elevations up to 1,600 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 20 - 26°c, but can tolerate 15 - 32°c[]. Plants can tolerate occasional light frosts[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 600 - 1,250mm, but tolerates 500 - 1,500mm[].
Requires a very warm sunny position and a fertile well-drained soil. Prefers a pH in the range 6 - 6.5, tolerating 5.3 - 7.8[].
A first harvest of the fruits can be obtained within 120 - 150 days of sowing the seed[].
The sub-species Capsicum baccata pendulum is hardier than the type and more likely to be successful in temperate climates[].

Edible Uses

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

Medicinal

The hot and pungent fruit is antihaemorrhoidal when taken in small amounts, antirheumatic, antiseptic, diaphoretic, digestive, irritant, rubefacient, sialagogue and tonic[, ]. 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[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The growing plant repels insects[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

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