Capsicum frutescens
| Capsicum frutescens | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 9 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 3' |
| Width: | 2' |
| Blooms: | Late Summer-Early Fall |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Capsicum frutescens (common name: tabasco pepper)
Propagation: Seed - sow late winter to early spring in a warm greenhouse[1]. The seed usually germinates in 3 - 4 weeks at 20°c. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots of reasonably rich soil and grow them on fast. If trying them outdoors, then plant them out after the last expected frosts and give them the protection of a cloche or frame at least until they are established and growing away well.
Cultivation: Requires a very warm sunny position and a fertile well-drained soil. Tolerates a pH in the range 4.3 to 8.3.
This species is a frost-tender perennial that is usually cultivated as an annual[2][3]. It does not commonly do well outdoors in an average British summer and it is usually grown in a greenhouse in this country[4]. However, if a very warm sheltered position outdoors is chosen then reasonable crops could be obtained in good summers.
Widely grown throughout the world, but especially in warm temperate to tropical climates for its edible fruit, tabasco peppers. There are many named varieties[5].
The growing plant is a good companion for aubergines[6].
Range: Probably native of the Tropics, but the original habitat is obscure.
Habitat: Not known in the wild.
Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked[2][7][5]. Very hot and normally used as a flavouring[8]. The fruit can be dried and ground into a powder for use as a flavouring[9]. The fruit is up to 7.5cm long and 1cm wide[10].
Seed - dried, ground and used as a pepper[11].
Leaves - cooked as a potherb[8]. Some caution is advised, see note at top of the page.
Medicinal: The dried fruit is a powerful local stimulant with no narcotic effect, it is most useful in atony of the intestines and stomach[12]. It has proved efficacious in dilating blood vessels and thus relieving chronic congestion of people addicted to drink[12]. It is sometimes used as a tonic and is said to be unequalled in warding off disease[12] (probably due to the high vitamin C content[K]). Some caution should be employed, however, since large doses are extremely irritating to the gastro-intestinal system[13].
Used externally, the fruit is a strong rubefacient stimulating the circulation, aiding the removal of waste products and increasing the flow of nutrients to the tissues[14]. It is applied as a cataplasm or liniment[12]. It has also been powdered and placed inside socks as a traditional remedy for those prone to cold feet[14]. A weak infusion can be used as a gargle to treat throat complaints[13].
The fruit is also antihaemorrhoidal, antirheumatic, antiseptic, carminative, diaphoretic, digestive, sialagogue and stomachic[15][16][17]. These pungent fruited peppers are important in the tropics as gastrointestinal detoxifiers and food preservatives[18].
The fruits contain 0.1 - 1.5% capsaicin[14]. This substance stimulates the circulation and alters temperature regulation. Applied to the skin it desensitizes nerve endings and so has been used as a local anaesthetic[14].
The seed contains capsicidins[14]. These are thought to have antibiotic properties[14].
Usage: The growing plant repels insects[6].
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: Although no reports have been seen for this species, many plants in this family produce toxins in their leaves. The sap of the plant can cause the skin to blister[10].
Also Known As: C. baccatum. C. minimum.
Links
References
- ↑ Bird, R. Growing from Seed Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan, 1989.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Nicholson, Barbara and Stephen Harrison. The Oxford Book of Food Plants. Oxford University Press, 1975.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Corbetta, Francisco. The COmplete Book of Fruits and Vegetables. 1985.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Riotte, Louise. Carrots Love Tomatoes. Garden Way, 1978.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ Brouk, Bohuslav. Plants Consumed by Man. Academic Press, 1975.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Stuart, Malcolm. The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism. Orbis Publishing, 1979.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 14.5 Chevallier, Andrew. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Dorling Kindersley, 1996.
- ↑ Chiej, Roberto. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald, 1984.
- ↑ Mills, Simon. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
- ↑ Hill, Albert. Economic Botany. The Maple Press, 1952.
- ↑ Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.