Description
Chilli Name: PI 543208
Chilli Species: Galapagoense
Chilli Origin: Galápagos
Chilli Heat: Very Hot
PI 543208 Chilli — A Rare Capsicum galapagoense from the Galápagos Islands
PI 543208 is a wild chilli accession collected from the Galápagos Islands, officially classified as Capsicum galapagoense, and held in the USDA Plant Introduction (PI) collection. This species is one of the rarest and least domesticated in the Capsicum genus, known only from the remote and ecologically unique Galápagos archipelago, part of Ecuador.
The plant is a compact, densely branching shrub, often with fine pubescent (hairy) leaves and stems, which help protect it from the island sun and wind. Its small white flowers and tiny, round, upright pods are typical of C. galapagoense, with fruits ripening from green to bright red. Despite their size, these chillies are extremely hot, estimated to fall in the 30,000–100,000+ Scoville Heat Units (SHU) range.
This species is rarely used in traditional cooking due to the minuscule pod size and intense heat, but it is highly prized by collectors and researchers for its evolutionary isolation, natural resilience, and potential genetic traits such as drought tolerance and pest resistance.
PI 543208 offers a fascinating look at Capsicum's wild diversity, shaped by volcanic islands and complete ecological seclusion. It’s a rare chilli in every sense — botanically unique, biologically significant, and a true island native.
