capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum

Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum—commonly known as bird pepper—is a wild chili-pepper variety native to southern North America and northern South America[4][1]. The plant is a perennial shrub that typically grows 2–3 feet tall but can reach up to 10 feet in ideal conditions[7][4]. Its small round or pear-shaped fruits are exceptionally hot (Scoville scale ranges from about 325,000 to over 1.6 million SHU)[4][7]. Bird peppers are consumed by birds (which do not sense capsaicin heat) and have been used traditionally for culinary and medicinal purposes. The primary active compound is capsaicin—a potent agonist of the TRPV1 receptor—which gives the fruit its characteristic pungency and has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties[5]. Medicinally, bird peppers have been used for digestive issues (indigestion), colds/flu relief, circulatory stimulation (claimed prevention of heart attacks), internal disinfectant effects against sore throat/congestion/tumors/chills/gas elimination/suppressed menstruation; however these uses are based on traditional knowledge rather than clinical evidence[5].

Other names

bird pepperchile pequinchiltepinturkey peppercayenne pepperIndian peppergrove pepperchiltepechile tepín