Seed Availability

Seeds are now available at our seed store.

Description

A small shrub that can grow as high as six feet though usually remains much smaller. Growth is more or less upright, somewhat compact. Compared with the common Capsicum's, this species barely looks like a pepper. Leaves are rounded, hairy and unlike common peppers in appearance. Flowers are bright yellow, with a general bell shape, but a distinctive Capsicum-like arrangement of stamens and pistils. The tiny berry fruits may follow flowering and ripen to red. Fruits are attached to a prominent five pronged calyx. The seeds are dark brown-black. C. rhomboideum is also of note for having 13 chromosome pairs (2n=26)---a trait shared with several extremely rare, primitive wild peppers. All domesticated and virtually all common wild peppers contain just 12 chromosome pairs (2n=24).

Hardiness

Unknown.

Growing Environment

Of the very rare wild Capsicum's, this species is one of the easiest to grow. It does well in a range of conditions, though it should be watered fairly regularly during growing months. Grows well in filtered and full sun. Thrives in humid conditions, but test plantings have done fine in drier air as well.

Propagation

By seeds. The seeds can be difficult to sprout but using normal pepper germinating procedures generally shows good results.

Uses

The fruits are said to be edible with no heat and a very subtle sweetness. Rarely cultivated but in demand both as a curiosity and an ornamental amongst collectors.

Native Range

Native from Southern Mexico through Venezuela and Northern Peru.

Additional Pictures

Related Species

Solanaceae
	Acnistus arborescens Wild Tobacco		Brugmansia arborea Angel's Trumpet
	Brugmansia aurea Golden Angel's Trumpet		Brugmansia candida White Angel's Trumpet
	Brugmansia sanguinea Red Angel's Trumpet		Brugmansia suaveolens Angel's Trumpet
	Brugmansia versicolor Orange Angel's Trumpet		Capsicum caballeroi Capsicum caballeroi
	Capsicum exile Cobincho Pepper		Capsicum eximium Capsicum eximium
	Capsicum flexuosum Capsicum flexuosum		Capsicum galapagoense Galapagos Island Pepper
	Capsicum praetermissum Cumari		Capsicum rhomboideum Capsicum rhomboideum
	Cyphomandra abutiloides Dwarf Tamarillo		Cyphomandra betacea Tree Tomato
	Datura inoxia Thorn Apple		Datura metel Double Purple Datura
	Iochroma australe (Acnistus australis) Mini Angel's Trumpet		Iochroma cyaneum Violet Churcu
	Iochroma fuchsioides Red Iochroma		Iochroma grandiflora Giant Iochroma
	Jaltomata procumbens Jaltomato		Lycopersicon melanocarpa Lycopersicon melanocarpa
	Lycopersicon skorospelka Lycopersicon skorospelka		Nicotiana glauca Tree Tobacco
	Physalis alkekengi Chinese Lantern		Physalis angulata Mullaca
	Physalis costomatl Cotztomatl		Physalis ixocarpa Tomatillo
	Physalis minima Sunberry		Physalis peruviana Cape Gooseberry
	Physalis pruinosa Ground Cherry		Solanum aviculare Kangaroo Apple
	Solanum burbankii Wonderberry		Solanum caripense Tzimbalo
	Solanum chessmanii Galapagos Island Tomato		Solanum dulcamara Bittersweet
	Solanum hispidum Giant Devil's Fig		Solanum lycocarpum Fruit for Wolves
	Solanum macrocarpon Gbogname		Solanum mammosum Nipple Fruit
	Solanum melanocerasum Garden Huckleberry		Solanum muricatum Pepino
	Solanum pseudolulo Pseudolulo		Solanum quitoense Naranjilla
	Solanum sessiliflorum Cocona		Solanum uporo Cannibal's Tomato
	Withania somnifera Ashwagandha