Plant · GBIF taxon 2932938
locoto pepper
Capsicum baccatumAlso known as Ají Amarillo, Lemon Drop Pepper, Bishop's Crown, South American Pepper
Recognized by its distinctive corolla with yellow or tan spots at the base of each petal lobe, Capsicum baccatum is a South American pepper species widely cultivated across the Andes and lowland tropics. The berries range from fiery orange-yellow pods used in traditional Andean sauces to mild sweet varieties grown worldwide. As a perennial woody shrub, it can survive for years in frost-free climates, producing dozens of vibrant pendant peppers each season.
FloweringCultivatedPerennial
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Sunlight
- Soil nutrients
- Water
Predators
- Spider mites
- Aphids
- Pepper weevils
ThreatsHabitat clearing for wild varieties, agricultural pests, frost
HabitatsTropical scrub, agricultural fields, domestic gardens
Life span5–15 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderSolanales
- FamilySolanaceae
- GenusCapsicum
- SpeciesCapsicum baccatum
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Foliage is toxic to pets if ingested; wash hands after handling hot pepper pods.
Responsible observation
- Identification: Look for white flowers with unique yellow or green spots near the base of each petal.
- Cultivation: Provide full sun and warm temperatures, protecting plants from frost to ensure multi-year survival.
- Handling: Wear gloves when harvesting hot cultivars to avoid capsaicin burn on skin or eyes.
Close Relative Franz Eugen Köhler, Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen / Public domain · cc0
Close Relative (c) Eric Bronson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative no rights reserved · cc0
Family Relative Softeis / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
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