Description
Chilli Name: PI 281358
Chilli Species: Baccatum
Chilli Origin: Bolivia
Chilli Heat: Hot
PI 281358 Chilli — A Traditional Capsicum baccatum from Bolivia’s Highland Valleys
PI 281358 is a chilli accession from Bolivia, classified as Capsicum baccatum, and preserved in the USDA Plant Introduction (PI) collection. Like many baccatum types from the region, this accession reflects the deep agricultural traditions of the Andean valleys, where chillies have been cultivated for thousands of years.
The plant grows tall and spreading, with the classic baccatum creamy flowers marked by greenish-yellow spots. It produces pendant, elongated pods that ripen from light green to bright red or orange, depending on the environment. Though specific collection notes are limited, it likely shares traits common to other Bolivian landraces — offering moderate heat in the 10,000–30,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU) range, along with a distinctive fruity, slightly citrusy flavour.
These characteristics make PI 281358 ideal for traditional uses such as drying, making sauces, or grinding into seasoning powders. Its flavour profile and adaptability suggest it was cultivated with both culinary quality and agricultural resilience in mind.
As a genetic resource, PI 281358 is valued for its strong regional identity, flavour complexity, and potential use in breeding or conservation programmes focused on heirloom baccatum types.
In summary, PI 281358 is a flavourful, culturally rooted Bolivian chilli — a reflection of the diverse and ancient baccatum lineage that continues to thrive in the heart of South America.
