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''Capsicum pubescens'' is a plant of the genus ''
Capsicum ''Capsicum'' () is a genus of flowering plants in the nightshade family Solanaceae, native to the Americas, cultivated worldwide for their chili pepper or bell pepper fruit. Etymology and names The generic name may come from Latin , me ...
'' (pepper). The species name, ''pubescens'', refers to the hairy leaves of this pepper. The hairiness of the leaves, along with the black seeds, make ''Capsicum pubescens'' distinguishable from other Capsicum species. ''Capsicum pubescens'' has pungent yellow, orange, red, green or brown fruits. This species is found primarily in
Central Central is an adjective usually referring to being in the center of some place or (mathematical) object. Central may also refer to: Directions and generalised locations * Central Africa, a region in the centre of Africa continent, also known a ...
and
South America South America is a continent entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere at the northern tip of the continent. It can also be described as the sou ...
, and is known only in cultivation. It is consumed fresh, as a paste, dried, or ground. It is called ''rocoto'' (
Quechua Quechua may refer to: *Quechua people, several indigenous ethnic groups in South America, especially in Peru *Quechuan languages, a Native South American language family spoken primarily in the Andes, derived from a common ancestral language **So ...
, ''rukutu'', ''ruqutu) in
Peru , image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg , image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg , other_symbol = Great Seal of the State , other_symbol_type = National seal , national_motto = "Firm and Happy f ...
and
Ecuador Ecuador ( ; ; Quechua: ''Ikwayur''; Shuar: ''Ecuador'' or ''Ekuatur''), officially the Republic of Ecuador ( es, República del Ecuador, which literally translates as "Republic of the Equator"; Quechua: ''Ikwadur Ripuwlika''; Shuar: ' ...
, ''locoto'' in
Bolivia , image_flag = Bandera de Bolivia (Estado).svg , flag_alt = Horizontal tricolor (red, yellow, and green from top to bottom) with the coat of arms of Bolivia in the center , flag_alt2 = 7 × 7 square p ...
and
Argentina Argentina (), officially the Argentine Republic ( es, link=no, República Argentina), is a country in the southern half of South America. Argentina covers an area of , making it the List of South American countries by area, second-largest ...
(
Aymara Aymara may refer to: Languages and people * Aymaran languages, the second most widespread Andean language ** Aymara language, the main language within that family ** Central Aymara, the other surviving branch of the Aymara(n) family, which today ...
, ''luqutu''), and in
Mexico Mexico (Spanish language, Spanish: México), officially the United Mexican States, is a List of sovereign states, country in the southern portion of North America. It is borders of Mexico, bordered to the north by the United States; to the so ...
''manzano'' (
Spanish Spanish might refer to: * Items from or related to Spain: **Spaniards are a nation and ethnic group indigenous to Spain **Spanish language, spoken in Spain and many Latin American countries **Spanish cuisine Other places * Spanish, Ontario, Can ...
for "apple") pepper for its apple-shaped fruit. Of all the domesticated species in the family ''Capsicum'', it is the least widespread and most genetically distinct.


Description


Vegetative characteristics

Like all other species of the genus ''Capsicum'', plants of the species ''Capsicum pubescens'' grow as a shrub, but sometimes as climbing plants. They grow into four-meter woody plants relatively quickly, and live up to 15 years, which gives them, especially with age, an almost tree-like appearance. After a first impulse is formed, the plant branches at a height of about 30 cm for the first time, and forms during growth by further dividing into a bushy appearance. More shoots develop from the leaf axils. Some varieties have purple discoloration on the branches, as can be observed in other ''Capsicum'' species. The leaves have a 5–12 mm long petiole and a leaf blade ovate to 5–12 cm long, 2.5 to 4 cm wide, tapering at the top and the base is wedge-shaped. In addition to the relatively long life, ''Capsicum pubescens'' differs in many other characteristics from related species.


Flowers

The flowers appear singly or in pairs (rarely up to four) on the shoots, and the branches are at about 1 cm long flower stems, which extend on the fruit to around 4–5 cm. The calyx has five triangular pointed teeth, which have in the fruit a length of about 1 mm. A characteristic different from other cultivated species of the genus ''Capsicum'' is the blue-violet-colored petals, brighter in the centre. The anthers are partly purple, partly white.


Phytochemicals


Capsaicinoids

Capsaicinoids (capsaicin) are naturally occurring
phytochemical Phytochemicals are chemical compounds produced by plants, generally to help them resist fungi, bacteria and plant virus infections, and also consumption by insects and other animals. The name comes . Some phytochemicals have been used as poison ...
s responsible for the heat in chili peppers. While other chili varieties are dominated with up to 80 % by capsaicin, ''C. pubescens'' has an almost equally high concentration of
dihydrocapsaicin Dihydrocapsaicin is a capsaicinoid and analog and congener of capsaicin in chili peppers (''Capsicum''). Like capsaicin, it is an irritant. It accounts for about 22% of the total capsaicinoid mixture and has the same pungency as capsaicin. P ...
. ''C.pubescens'' is a domesticated chili pepper that has not been explored extensively for its phytochemicals. While some types of ''C.pubescens'' are considered mild, other varieties are some of the hottest peppers. The pungency level varies according to two different studies between 2400-31,000 Scoville scale, 15,000-80,000 Scoville scale and 50,000-250,000 Scoville scale. ''C. pubescens'' is a poor source of
carotenoid Carotenoids (), also called tetraterpenoids, are yellow, orange, and red organic pigments that are produced by plants and algae, as well as several bacteria, and fungi. Carotenoids give the characteristic color to pumpkins, carrots, parsnips, ...
s and has a low amount of
ascorbic acid Vitamin C (also known as ascorbic acid and ascorbate) is a water-soluble vitamin found in citrus and other fruits and vegetables, also sold as a dietary supplement and as a topical 'serum' ingredient to treat melasma (dark pigment spots) ...
and total
polyphenol Polyphenols () are a large family of naturally occurring organic compounds characterized by multiples of phenol units. They are abundant in plants and structurally diverse. Polyphenols include flavonoids, tannic acid, and ellagitannin, some ...
s compared to ''
Capsicum annuum ''Capsicum annuum'' is a species of the plant genus ''Capsicum'' native to southern North America, the Caribbean, and northern South America. This species is the most common and extensively cultivated of the five domesticated capsicums. The spec ...
''. Furthermore, removing the seeds of this pepper during food processing reduces the total polyphenol content by 50%.


Aroma

The growing interest for this species is related to its
cucumber Cucumber (''Cucumis sativus'') is a widely-cultivated creeping vine plant in the Cucurbitaceae family that bears usually cylindrical fruits, which are used as culinary vegetables.aromas are dominant in the odor profile: green, cucumber, earthy-peas, and
paprika Paprika ( US , ; UK , ) is a spice made from dried and ground red peppers. It is traditionally made from '' Capsicum annuum'' varietals in the Longum group, which also includes chili peppers, but the peppers used for paprika tend to be milder ...
or bell pepper, due possibly to the higher amount of
sulfur Sulfur (or sulphur in British English) is a chemical element with the symbol S and atomic number 16. It is abundant, multivalent and nonmetallic. Under normal conditions, sulfur atoms form cyclic octatomic molecules with a chemical formul ...
and
nitrogen compounds The chemical element nitrogen is one of the most abundant elements in the universe and can form many compounds. It can take several oxidation states; but the most oxidation states are -3 and +3. Nitrogen can form nitride and nitrate ions. It also fo ...
(pyrazine) and cucumber-like
aldehydes In organic chemistry, an aldehyde () is an organic compound containing a functional group with the structure . The functional group itself (without the "R" side chain) can be referred to as an aldehyde but can also be classified as a formyl grou ...
with a low contribution to
esters In chemistry, an ester is a compound derived from an oxoacid (organic or inorganic) in which at least one hydroxyl group () is replaced by an alkoxy group (), as in the substitution reaction of a carboxylic acid and an alcohol. Glycerides ar ...
and ionones. The aromatic differences between ''C. chinense'' (a commonly used chili pepper) and ''C.pubescens'' is the contribution of several ionone esters and ectocarpene. This explains the exotic, fruity aromatic character of ''C. chinense'', which is presented only in small quantities in ''C. pubescens''.


Uses


Food properties

The fruits of ''Capsicum pubescens'' are a versatile food in South American cuisine. The flesh is thicker than that of other chilis, closer to the consistency and size of
bell pepper The bell pepper (also known as paprika, sweet pepper, pepper, or capsicum ) is the fruit of plants in the Grossum Group of the species ''Capsicum annuum''. Cultivars of the plant produce fruits in different colors, including red, yellow, orange ...
s. The level of spice is comparable to other common known chilis, with 50,000 to 250,000 Scoville Heat Units recorded.


Fresh uses

The seeds and the white membranes, which contain most of the spice, are cut out. It is advised to wear gloves when handling ''Capsicum pubescens''. To reduce the spiciness the fruits can be boiled. The prepared rocoto chilis are used for a variety of dishes. Rocoto relleno is a popular dish in
Arequipa Arequipa (; Aymara and qu, Ariqipa) is a city and capital of province and the eponymous department of Peru. It is the seat of the Constitutional Court of Peru and often dubbed the "legal capital of Peru". It is the second most populated city ...
, a city in the Andes of
Peru , image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg , image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg , other_symbol = Great Seal of the State , other_symbol_type = National seal , national_motto = "Firm and Happy f ...
. The hollowed out and boiled rocotos are filled up with a mixture of ground beef, onions, garlic and spices. It is topped off with a piece of cheese and baked in the oven. The fruits of the ''Capsicum pubescens'' are also used as additions to other meals. Chili paste is made by mixing the chilis with oil. Chili cream is made by mixing rocoto chilis with fresh cheese. Aji de Huacatay is a green sauce which contains green rocoto chilis and is served typically with potatoes. Additionally, rocotos are used for fresh salsas.


Processed uses

Due to the thick flesh and the high moisture content, drying of peppers solely with sunlight is not as effective as with other species of Capsicum. A closed drying tunnel can reduce the moisture of 80 kilograms of fresh rocoto to 6.4 kilograms of dried rocoto.


Origin and distribution

''Capsicum pubescens'' is native to Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador, dating to pre-Incan times. Traces of its presence have been found in the Guitarrero Caves. The existence of ''Capsicum pubescens'' was documented by ancient Peruvians of the Paracas, Nazca, Moche, and Chimu cultures, through textiles, ceramics, and domestic remains. ''Capsicum pubescens'' is likely to belong to the oldest domesticated plants in the Americas, its domestication dating back to 6000 BC. ''Capsicum pubescens'' is believed to have evolved from other, more primitive wild ''Capsicum'' species occurring in the same area. Of all the domesticated species of peppers, this is the least widespread and genetically furthest away from all others. It is reproductively isolated from other species of the genus ''Capsicum'' and forms a distinct genetic lineage. In the early 1900's ''Capsicum pubescens'' was introduced to Indonesia where it is now grown along other Capsicum species. The routes of introductions remain unclear, as ''Capsicum pubescens'' is found on multiple Indonesian islands. A white flower mutant of ''Capsicum pubescens'' is widely distributed in West and Central Java, which differentiates it from the normally purple flowering plants. ''Capsicum pubescens'' is rare outside of Central America, being found in cultivation primarily in
Bolivia , image_flag = Bandera de Bolivia (Estado).svg , flag_alt = Horizontal tricolor (red, yellow, and green from top to bottom) with the coat of arms of Bolivia in the center , flag_alt2 = 7 × 7 square p ...
and
Peru , image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg , image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg , other_symbol = Great Seal of the State , other_symbol_type = National seal , national_motto = "Firm and Happy f ...
where it likely originated. It is commonly cultivated from Mexico to Peru, as well as in Indonesia. The plants are usually grown at small scale in courtyards and family gardens, and only surpluses reach markets. Given its cold tolerance, ''Capsicum pubescens'' grows at higher elevations than other species, and cannot survive the tropical heat in the lowlands. However, ''Capsicum pubescens'' is not frost-tolerant and requires a long vegetation period of about 9 months. These climate requirements are the main challenges for introducing it to other locations. Alongside the climatic difficulties, the European cuisine has few uses for ''Capsicum pubescens'' fruits.


Cultivation


Production

The Viru and Lambayeque valleys are the main production areas, 1000 km north of the capital of Peru. In the Netherlands, tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers share more than 90% gross area of greenhouse production. Between April and November, ''C. pubescens'' is grown in greenhouses in the Netherlands. In the rest of the year, it has limited availability, and is grown in Spain or Italy.


Planting

''C. pubescens'' is genetically different and unique in ''Capsicum'', as it is the only one to tolerate cooler temperatures. A clear temperature difference during the day (15 °C) and at night (8 °C) is preferred, which is similar to the mountainous regions of Peru and Bolivia. However, frost and high heat cause serious damage. Cultivation methods of ''C. pubescens'' include growing in a nursery for 1 to 1.5 months in early February, then planting in the field when there is no frost risk, generally around March. Potassium, magnesium and zinc are used after transplantation, or after branching or flowering, and are generally applied once every 2 months after harvesting began. Some farmers cultivate ''C. pubescens'' among tea trees, '' C. annuum'', or other crops.


Pests

The plants resist pests in Europe. However, ''C. pubescens'' is the host plant of '' Anastrepha ludens'' (Mexican fruit fly). ''A. ludens'' is one of the most threatening pests of ''
Anastrepha ''Anastrepha'' is the most diverse genus in the American tropics and subtropics. Currently, it comprises more than 300 described species, including nine major pest species, such as the Mexican fruit fly (''A. ludens''), the South American fruit ...
''. It is considered an A1 quarantine pest by EPPO (European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization). Thus, the importation of fresh ''C. pubescens'' is restricted by many countries, and only frozen and manufactured import food are authorized in European market.


Pathogens

The plants are resistant to several diseases, including the
oomycete Oomycota forms a distinct phylogenetic lineage of fungus-like eukaryotic microorganisms, called oomycetes (). They are filamentous and heterotrophic, and can reproduce both sexually and asexually. Sexual reproduction of an oospore is the resul ...
pathogen '' Phytophthora capsici'', a severe pathogen of pepper production over the world, causing more than $100 million in losses annually. ''C. pubescens'' has a thick waxy cuticle which becomes detached during the infection process, called ''pealing pealing'' disease in the areas around Oxapampa,
Peru , image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg , image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg , other_symbol = Great Seal of the State , other_symbol_type = National seal , national_motto = "Firm and Happy f ...
.


Harvesting

''C. pubescens'' matures at least 3 months after flowering, with harvesting 3 to 8 months after transplantation into fields. Fruits were collected weekly every 2 weeks, and the harvesting is continued for 2-3 years, up to 5 years before the occurrence of diseases. Yields produce approximately 0.5 kg per plant per harvest, from up to 40 chilies for one meter tall.


Gallery

Image:Ripe-manzanos.jpg, A 'Manzano' pepper plant with ripe pods Image:Cap1033-botao1.jpg, ''Rukutu'' flower bud with many
trichome Trichomes (); ) are fine outgrowths or appendages on plants, algae, lichens, and certain protists. They are of diverse structure and function. Examples are hairs, glandular hairs, scales, and papillae. A covering of any kind of hair on a p ...
s, characteristic that gives this species its name Image:Capsicum pubescens flower.jpg, Typical flower of a ''rukutu'': purple corolla with white spots in the center image:Bag of frozen rocoto.jpg, A bag of frozen ''rukutu'' for sale at a California market, 2009, and the orange variety is commonly cultivated in coastal Southern California and can be found fresh year-round in produce sections of ethnic markets. Image:Capsicum pubescens (Rocoto).JPG, Red Rocoto fruit cross section showing black-seeded fruit Image:Rocoto Pepper Plant.jpg, Rocoto plant prior to flowering


See also

* List of ''Capsicum'' cultivars * Rocoto relleno, baked rocoto stuffed with mince


References


Further reading

* Charles M. Rick
"Capsicum pubescens, a little-known pungent pepper from Latin America"
In: ''Missouri Botanical Garden Bulletin'', Band 36, 1950. pp. 36–42. * Hugh Popenoe u. a.:

' National Academy Press, Washington DC 1989. (Online)


External links

* {{Taxonbar, from=Q133428 pubescens Chili peppers Crops originating from Mexico Crops originating from Peru