Re: [CH] fuzzy serranos? V7 #364

James Robertson (jrr@optushome.com.au)
Wed, 6 Jun 2001 09:36:34 +1000

> Wow - a post about chile peppers!

Seems rare at the moment doesn't it !

> >habs are capsicum chinense (big misnomer since they originate from the
> >carribean way)
>
> I always thought it was because they are shaped like Chinese lanterns.

My reading indicates that it was a taxonomical error - viz, the taxonomist
'discovered' all these lovely habs grown by the chinese / asians and thought
they must have originated there and named them accordingly.  Many books have
proffered this line.  It's the one that I currently subscribe to.

> >aji are capsicum baccatum
>
> Depends. I believe that "Aji" is a native S. American name for hot
> peppers. It can be applied to just about anything Capsicum.

Absolutely true.  Most of the "Aji" varieties we have available here (Oz)
happen to also be c. baccatum so I have simplified the matter.   There is no
doubt that there are chillis with a common name of 'aji something' that
aren't c. baccatum.

regards,

jr

Still love my c. baccatum "Aji yellow".  Delicious !  Same with my c.
pubescens "Hot Lips".  Really looking forward to its second year fruiting...