Bird Pepper

Wild

Texas Grown

Bird Pepper - Chili Pequine - Chili Peppers

est 30,000-60,000 Scovilles.

Capsicum Annuum.

This pepper is called a Bird Pepper, because it is consumed and spread by wild birds. It is a tiny roundish fruit, (pequeno in Spanish means tiny) measuring only ½ to ¾ inches long, but don’t be fooled, this little chile packs quite a punch! As it matures it changes from green to bright red.

Some describe the flavor as citrusy, smoky, and nutty. It is used in hot sauces, salsas, and soups, and it can be pickled. Just one or two of these little chilies punctured and put in a pot of food will add a kick!

Texas designated the chili Petine as the official state native pepper in 1997.

Adaptable to sun, shade, or part shade, it can be a perennial in many gardens. In coldest winters, it may be an annual, but birds may seed its fruits that they love. If it freezes back, its roots may still be alive, so cut back the brown top growth and it will sprout again.

It is covered in tiny, flaming-hot peppers all summer long. Growing in full sun, where it produces lots of fruit. It also does well in part-shady situations.

It’s very drought tough, though in dry hot summers, it welcomes supplemental water. As with most fruiting plants, a little fertilizer will help with production, but this plant doesn’t need much to be prolific.