bird-chilli

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• bird-chilli
• cayenne-pepper
• chilli
• spur-pepper
• tabasco-pepper
• Bird Pepper
• Capsicum
• Hot Pepper
• Red Chili
• Spur Pepper
• Tabasco pepper

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Capsicum annuum var. frutescens
• Capsicum micranthum
• Capsicum annuum var. parvoacuminatum
• Capsicum frutescens var. queenslandicum
• Capsicum frutescens var. conoideum
• Capsicum fastigiatum
• Capsicum flexuosum var. perrottettii
• Capsicum crispum
• Capsicum curvipes
• Capsicum conoideum
• Capsicum conoideum var. chordale
• Capsicum conoideum var. oblongoconicum
• Capsicum conoideum var. sulcatum
• Capsicum indicum var. ribesium
• Capsicum indicum var. conoideum
• Capsicum indicum subsp. elaeocarpon
• Capsicum annuum var. conoideum
• Capsicum annuum var. oblongoconicum
• Capsicum indicum var. berberideum
• Capsicum frutescens var. multilobatum
• Capsicum conicum var. orientale
• Capsicum conicum var. latifolium
• Capsicum conicum var. angustifolium
• Capsicum crispum var. piper-rabiosum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified within the order Solanales and the family Solanaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Capsicum, which includes the species Capsicum frutescens.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution concentrated within the northern subtropical regions. In Northern Africa, it can be found growing across the territories of Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia. Its presence extends further west into the Macaronesian islands. Specifically, it is located within the Canary Islands. Additionally, the species is documented inhabiting the island of Madeira.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Capsicum frutescens is characterized by a broad vertical distribution, allowing it to thrive across a diverse range of altitudinal gradients. It is found from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 1700 m AMSL, demonstrating significant adaptability to varying environmental pressures. Regarding its preferred environment, this species frequently inhabits anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica), suggesting a strong capacity to colonize disturbed landscapes and coexist within human-modified ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

1700 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica

Genetics

The genetics of Capsicum frutescens are characterized by a specific chromosomal configuration that underpins its morphological and chemical diversity. The species possesses a diploid chromosome number of 24, which serves as the fundamental genetic basis for its inheritance patterns and evolutionary lineage within the Solanaceae family. This diploidy, denoted by a ploidy level of 2, indicates that the organism carries two complete sets of chromosomes, providing a stable genomic structure that influences the expression of key secondary metabolites, such as capsaicinoids, which are essential to its medicinal and bioactive properties.

Chromosome number :

24

Ploidy :

2

Life history

The life history of Capsicum frutescens is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, though its growth pattern can vary depending on environmental conditions and regional climates. In terms of its structural life form, the plant is classified as a chamaephyte, a designation that reflects its growth habit where the permanent buds are located close to the soil surface. This botanical classification, appearing as both a chamaephyte under different life form categorizations, dictates its ability to endure varying seasonal shifts and its specific strategy for maintaining biomass near the ground level.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Capsicum frutescens is characterized by a growth form that transitions between a herb and a shrub, exhibiting a non-woody structure. It is a terrestrial species that grows independently, functioning neither as an epiphyte nor as a parasite. As a self-supporting plant, it does not utilize climbing mechanisms such as vines or lianas. The stature of the plant is variable, with a minimum height of 0.25 m, a mean height of approximately 1.1 m, and a maximum height reaching up to 2 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2 m

Plant height mean:

1.1 m

Plant height min:

0.25 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Capsicum frutescens is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency in varying environmental conditions. The plant exhibits a non-succulent morphology, lacking specialized water-storage tissues in its vegetative structures. Its foliar development is defined by a specific range of dimensions, with leaf lengths spanning from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 7 cm, and leaf widths ranging from a minimum of 1.5 cm to a maximum of 10 cm. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on soil nutrient availability rather than symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria to meet its nitrogen requirements.

Leaf length max:

7 cm

Leaf length min:

1 cm

Leaf width max:

10 cm

Leaf width min:

1.5 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Capsicum frutescens is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily driven by insects, which facilitates the fertilization process. The plant is capable of self-fertilization, ensuring reproductive success even in varying environmental conditions. The flowering stage features white flowers arranged in inflorescences that can range in length from a minimum of 0.01 m to a maximum of 25 m. Following successful pollination, the plant develops fleshy, indehiscent fruits classified as berries. These fruits typically measure between 1 cm and a maximum of 2 cm in length. The seeds contained within these berries are relatively small, with a mean mass of approximately 0.0030925 g (ranging from a minimum of 0.001185 g to a maximum of 0.0058 g) and a seed length between 3 mm and 4 mm. The seed volume remains consistent at a mean and maximum of 11 mm³, with a minimum also recorded at 11 mm³. Dispersal of the seeds is achieved through a zoochorous syndrome, where animals play a critical role in spreading the plant's progeny.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Flower colour :

white

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit length max:

2 cm

Fruit length min:

1 cm

Fruit type :

berry

Inflorescence length max:

25 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.01 m

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed length max:

4 mm

Seed length min:

3 mm

Seed mass max:

0.0058 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0030925 g

Seed mass min:

0.001185 g

Seed volume max:

11 mm³

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Capsicum frutescens has 1 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit.

Fruit

1. BioMed research international
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
3. Journal of chromatography. A

Chemicals

Capsicum frutescens has 229 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Capsaicin, Dihydrocapsaicin, Nordihydrocapsaicin, ascorbic acid, caffeic acid.

Capsaicin

1. Dr. Duke
2. International journal of molecular sciences
3. Behavioural brain research
4. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
5. Journal of biotechnology

Dihydrocapsaicin

1. Dr. Duke
2. International journal of molecular sciences
3. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
4. Journal of chromatography. A

Nordihydrocapsaicin

1. Dr. Duke
2. International journal of molecular sciences

ascorbic acid

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

caffeic acid

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of biotechnology

vitamin C

1. Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)
2. Frontiers in microbiology

1,8-Cineole

1. Dr. Duke

1-Hexanol

1. Dr. Duke

1-Pentanol

1. Dr. Duke

2-Decenoic acid

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Capsicum frutescens has 770 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antioxidant, (-)-Chronotropic, (-)-Inotropic, 11B-HSD-Inhibitor.

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pharmacognosy magazine

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pharmacognosy magazine

(-)-Chronotropic

1. Dr. Duke

(-)-Inotropic

1. Dr. Duke

11B-HSD-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-HETE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-HT-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Capsicum frutescens has 11 reported investigations on conditions identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include pain, Newcastle disease, anemia, antioxidant, diabetes mellitus.

Pain

1. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews
2. Spine

Newcastle disease

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Anemia

1. BioMed research international

Antioxidant

1. Pharmacognosy magazine

Diabetes mellitus

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Lipid peroxidation

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Malaria

1. BioMed research international

Oxidative stress

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Parasitemia

1. BioMed research international

Thrombosis

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Preparations

Capsicum frutescens has 10 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Capsicum frutescens cream or plaster, Crude Fruit Extract, Freely suspended cells, aqueous extraction, crude extracts.

Capsicum frutescens cream or plaster

1. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews

Crude fruit extract

1. BioMed research international

Freely suspended cells

1. Journal of biotechnology

Aqueous extraction

1. TheScientificWorldJournal

Crude extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Dried fruits

1. BioMed research international

Ethanolic extraction

1. TheScientificWorldJournal

Fruit extracts

1. Journal of chromatography. A

Immobilized cell cultures

1. Enzyme and microbial technology

Plain and heated aqueous extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology