Description
Chilli Name: PI 439464
Chilli Species: Eximium
Chilli Origin: Bolivia
Chilli Heat: Hot
PI 439464 Chilli — A Wild Bolivian Chilli from the Species Capsicum eximium
PI 439464 is a wild chilli accession from Bolivia, classified as Capsicum eximium, and preserved in the USDA Plant Introduction (PI) collection. This species is native to the Andean highlands, where it thrives in cool, dry, and high-altitude environments, making it one of the hardiest members of the Capsicum genus.
The plant is a compact, shrubby perennial, displaying narrow leaves and the species' trademark purple flowers with pale or white centres. The fruits are tiny, upright, and teardrop-shaped, ripening from green to bright red. Though small, they deliver a potent punch, with heat levels estimated between 30,000 and 60,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). Their flavour is wild and sharp, occasionally with subtle fruity notes.
PI 439464 is especially valued for its cold tolerance, pest and disease resistance, and ability to grow in nutrient-poor soils. These traits make it ideal for breeding projects focused on resilience and adaptability, as well as for collectors preserving rare wild Capsicum genetics.
While its small pods are not suited for everyday culinary use, PI 439464 is an important example of Bolivia’s wild chilli diversity — offering fire, toughness, and evolutionary significance in one small, hardy package.
