Capsicum frutescens
Capsicum frutescens
Safety & Hazards
Although providing many well-known foods for people, including the potato, tomato, pepper and aubergine, most plants in the family Solanaceae also contain poisonous alkaloids. Apart from the specific entries mentioned below containing information on the edible uses for this species, it would be unwise to ingest any other part of this plant[ K Title Plants for a Future Author Ken Fern Description Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips. ]. The sap of the plant can cause the skin to blister[ 200 Title The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. Publication Author Huxley. A. Publisher MacMillan Press Year 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5 Description Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed. ].
Botanical Description
Capsicum frutescens is a much-branched, erect, perennial plant growing from 1 - 2 metres tall. The stems can become more or less woody, at least near the base[ 481 Title Medicinal Plants in Papua New Guinea Publication Author Publisher World Health Organisation Year 2009 ISBN 978-92-9061-249-0 Description Traditional medicinal uses of 126 species from Papua New Guinea, including information on modern research into the plants. ]. This species is widely grown throughout the world, but especially in warm temperate to tropical climates for its edible fruit, which is used as a food flavouring, and also for its medicinal virtues.