Description
Chilli Name: PI 441625
Chilli Species: Eximium
Chilli Origin: Bolivia
Chilli Heat: Hot
PI 441625 Chilli — A Wild Capsicum eximium from Bolivia’s Andean Region
PI 441625 is a wild chilli accession from Bolivia, officially classified as Capsicum eximium, and conserved in the USDA Plant Introduction (PI) collection. Like other eximium types, this chilli is native to the high-altitude regions of the Andes, where it grows in harsh, rocky conditions with cool nights and poor soil — traits that have shaped its resilience and adaptability.
The plant forms a compact, shrubby perennial, featuring narrow leaves, dark stems, and the species' hallmark purple flowers with pale centres. It produces small, upright pods, usually round to oval in shape, that ripen from green to bright red. Though tiny, the pods are hot, typically measuring around 30,000–60,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), and deliver a clean, sharp burn with subtle wild-fruity undertones.
PI 441625 is particularly valued for its cold and drought tolerance, disease resistance, and overall hardiness. These characteristics make it an excellent candidate for breeding projects, especially those focused on improving stress tolerance in cultivated Capsicum varieties. It's also prized by collectors and researchers preserving the genetic diversity of wild chillies.
In summary, PI 441625 is a tough, fiery, and genetically rich chilli from Bolivia’s mountainous terrain — a true representative of the wild ancestry behind today’s hot peppers.
