Description
Chilli Name: PI 438644
Chilli Species: Eximium
Chilli Origin: Bolivia
Chilli Heat: Hot
PI 438644 Chilli — A Wild Capsicum eximium from the Highlands of Bolivia
PI 438644 is a wild chilli accession from Bolivia, officially classified as Capsicum eximium, and preserved in the USDA Plant Introduction (PI) collection. Native to the Andean highlands, this species is one of the most ancient and genetically distinct members of the Capsicum genus, thriving in high-altitude, cool-climate environments with poor soils.
The plant is a compact, shrubby perennial, characterised by narrow green leaves, purple-tinged stems, and striking purple flowers with pale centres — a signature feature of C. eximium. It produces tiny, upright fruits, round to teardrop-shaped, which ripen from green to a vivid red. Though small, these pods are notably hot, typically ranging from 30,000 to 60,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), and carry a clean, sharp heat with subtle wild fruit notes.
PI 438644 is valued for its natural cold and drought tolerance, disease resistance, and suitability for breeding programmes focused on improving resilience in cultivated chillies. It’s also popular among collectors of wild Capsicum species and researchers studying the evolutionary traits of early chilli types.
In short, PI 438644 is a tough, fiery wild chilli from Bolivia — a small but powerful contributor to the genetic story of the chilli pepper.
