Fauna
Plant · GBIF taxon 2932938

Ají Pepper

Capsicum baccatum

Also 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
Ají Pepper reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) aacocucci, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by aacocucci · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
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
Classification
  1. OrderSolanales
  2. FamilySolanaceae
  3. GenusCapsicum
  4. SpeciesCapsicum baccatum
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. 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.
Related species
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?

Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.

Checking your Fauna account…