Description
Chilli Name: WILD BRAZIL
Chilli Species: Baccatum var. baccatum
Chilli Origin: Brazil
Chilli Heat: Hot
Wild Brazil Chilli — A Rare and Fiery Native of Brazil’s Untamed Forests
The Wild Brazil chilli is an umbrella term often used to describe small-fruited wild Capsicum species native to Brazil, particularly those found in Atlantic forest margins, cerrado, and lowland jungle regions. These chillies are typically classified under Capsicum baccatum var. baccatum or Capsicum praetermissum, both of which grow wild in parts of southern and central Brazil, and are known for their intense heat and striking appearance.
The plants are usually compact, shrubby perennials, with a sprawling or upright growth habit, often forming dense thickets in the wild. Leaves are small and dark green, and flowers display the characteristic baccatum or praetermissum features — either with greenish-yellow spots or subtle pigmentation. The pods are tiny, round to oval, and typically grow upright, ripening from green to bright red or orange. Despite their size, they are surprisingly hot, often in the 30,000–60,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU) range, and carry a sharp, wild burn with a faint fruitiness.
These wild chillies are rarely cultivated commercially but are highly prized for their genetic traits, including disease resistance, hardiness, and cold tolerance — making them valuable in breeding programmes and conservation efforts. They also hold cultural and ecological importance, being part of the native biodiversity of Brazil’s threatened ecosystems.
In short, the Wild Brazil chilli is a small but powerful piece of Capsicum’s evolutionary story — rugged, fiery, and deeply rooted in one of the world’s most diverse natural landscapes.
