Capsicum pubescens

Capsicum pubescens is a plant of the genus Capsicum (pepper). The species name, pubescens, refers to the hairy leaves of this pepper. The hairiness of the leaves, along with the black seeds, make Capsicum pubescens distinguishable from other Capsicum species. Capsicum pubescens has pungent yellow, orange, red, green or brown fruits.

This species is found primarily in Central and South America, and is known only in cultivation. It is consumed fresh, as a paste, dried, or ground. Of all the domesticated species in the genus Capsicum, it is the least widespread and most genetically distinct. It has no common name in English, and its name in Spanish varies by country: it is called by the indigenous terms rocoto in Peru and Ecuador (from the Quechua rukutu or ruqutu) and locoto in Bolivia and Argentina (from the Aymara luqutu); however, in Mexico the term chile manzano (literally, "appletree pepper") is used due to the visual similarity of the fruit to apples.