Synonyms:

• (≡) Capsicum eximium var. eximium Hunz.

Common names:

• ulupica  (Source: Baileya) - Aymara (Peru)
• ulapuca  (Source: Brittonia) - Quichua (Peru)

Economic Importance:

• Food additives: flavoring (locally consumed in Bolivia and n. Argentina)
• Gene sources: primary genetic relative of rocoto (fide Eshbaugh 1979; based on natural fertile hybrids)
• Gene sources: tertiary genetic relative of aji (based on previously recorded crosses with Capsicum baccatum var. pratermissum a crossable species with var. pendulum fide Int J Pl Sci 162:1411. 2001)
• Gene sources: tertiary genetic relative of bell/chili pepper (based on previously recorded crossing attempts involving Capsicum annuum var. annuum and C. eximium fide Int J Pl Sci 162:1411. 2001)
• Gene sources: tertiary genetic relative of habanero pepper (based on previously recorded crossing attempts involving Capsicum frutescens and C. eximium, the former closely related to C. chinense fide Int J Pl Sci 162:1411. 2001)
• Gene sources: tertiary genetic relative of Tabasco pepper (based on previously recorded crossing attempts fide Int J Pl Sci 162:1411. 2001)

Distributional Range:

Native

Southern America

• WESTERN SOUTH AMERICA: Bolivia [Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, La Paz, Potosi, Santa Cruz, Tarija]
• SOUTHERN SOUTH AMERICA: Argentina [Jujuy, Salta, Tucuman]

References:

1. Eshbaugh, W. H. 1982. Variation and evolution in Capsicum eximium (Solanaceae) (Baileya) 21:193-198.
2. Eshbaugh, W. H. 1980. The taxonomy of the genus Capsicum (Solanaceae) - 1980 (Phytologia) 47:154.
3. Eshbaugh, W. H. & P. G. Smith 1971. A new variety of chili pepper, Capsicum eximium var. tomentosum (Solanceae) (Baileya) 18:13-16.
4. Heiser, C. B., Jr. & P. G. Smith 1958. New species of Capsicum from South America (Brittonia) 10:194-201.
5. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion Flora del Conosur. Catálogo de las plantas vasculares. (F ConoSur)
6. Walsh, B. M. & S. B. Hoot 2001. Phylogenetic relationships of Capsicum (Solanaceae) using DNA sequences from two noncoding regions: The chloroplast atpB-rbcL spacer region and nuclear waxy introns Int. J. Pl. Sci. 162:1409-1418.

Cite as: USDA, Agricultural Research Service, National Plant Germplasm System. 2026. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN-Taxonomy).
National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. URL: http://germoplasma.iniaf.gob.bo/gringlobal/taxonomydetail.aspx?id=8912. Accessed 7 junio 2026.