Description
Chilli Name: PI 355819
Chilli Species: Eximium
Chilli Origin: Bolivia
Chilli Heat: Hot
PI 355819 Chilli — A Wild Capsicum eximium from the Andes of Bolivia
PI 355819 is a wild chilli accession collected in Bolivia and classified as Capsicum eximium, one of the earliest and most genetically distinct species in the Capsicum genus. It’s preserved in the USDA Plant Introduction (PI) collection and reflects the natural diversity of chillies found in the highland regions of the Andes.
The plant is a small, shrubby perennial, well adapted to cool, rocky, high-altitude environments. It features the classic traits of C. eximium — narrow leaves, purple-tinged stems, and striking purple flowers with pale or white centres. The pods are tiny, upright, and round to teardrop-shaped, ripening from green to bright red. Despite their small size, they are very hot, typically measuring between 30,000 and 60,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU).
PI 355819 is especially valued for its cold tolerance, pest and disease resistance, and potential in breeding programmes aimed at improving stress resilience in cultivated varieties. It’s also highly prized by collectors interested in the preservation of wild Capsicum species.
While not commonly used in cooking due to the pod size, it offers a glimpse into the ancestral lineage of modern chillies and showcases the natural adaptability of wild peppers from Bolivia’s rugged terrain.
