C.chinense

C. chinense also originates from South America. The name chinense has as little to do with China as habanero has to do with Havana.

Finds as grave goods in South America prove that it was domesticated several thousand years ago. Although some C. chinense are among the hottest chilies, they are still very popular for seasoning food. The aroma of some varieties is incomparable.

In addition to the Caribbean and India, the main areas of cultivation are now also Africa. The large area of distribution also leads to a confusion of names. Fruits with different colors and shapes can have the same name or fruits with the same appearance and aroma can have different names.

As long as cross-breeding with other species has been avoided, C. chinense can be easily distinguished from other species.

The size usually varies between 50 cm and one meter. With good "feeding" in the greenhouse, however, I have had Habanero orange with a height of over 2 meters.

The small greenish-white flowers of C. chinense are usually five-petaled and are formed 2 to 5 times per node.

The fruit shapes are very different. There are very small teardrop-shaped fruits with a diameter of approx. 5 mm up to several cm large round or elongated fruits.