Description
Chilli Name: PI 260523
Chilli Species: Baccatum
Chilli Origin: Bolivia
Chilli Heat: Medium
PI 260523 Chilli — A Traditional Capsicum baccatum from the Highlands of Bolivia
PI 260523 is a landrace chilli collected in Bolivia, classified as Capsicum baccatum, and stored in the USDA Plant Introduction (PI) collection. It represents part of the rich agricultural diversity of the Andean region, where baccatum chillies have been cultivated for generations for their balance of heat and fruity flavour.
The plant is typically tall and bushy, with the classic baccatum trait of creamy white flowers marked with greenish-yellow spots. The pods are usually elongated, pendant, and ripen from pale green to a bright red or orange, depending on maturity. While detailed phenotypic records for this accession are limited, it likely carries medium heat, estimated in the 10,000–30,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU) range, and delivers the fruity, citrus-like flavour common to traditional Bolivian baccatum types.
PI 260523 would have been used locally in salsas, sauces, or for drying, valued not only for its flavour but also for its adaptability to the highland climate. It serves as a valuable genetic resource for breeders and researchers, offering potential traits like vigorous growth, disease resistance, and high yield.
In short, PI 260523 is a culturally and agriculturally significant Bolivian chilli — a flavour-rich, medium-heat variety rooted in the traditional farming systems of the Andes.
