Manzana Pepper (Rocoto)

The rare Manzana chile pepper is also known as Rocoto, Manzano or Peron. In Spanish Manzana means apple, referring to the pepper's shape. Unlike most chiles grown in Mexico, the Manzana chile is not a part of the common botanical family of Capsicum annuum but rather a part of Capsicum pubescens a species of pepper from the Andes region. And, unlike most peppers, the seeds of the Manzana are black. The plant is also unique with broad leaves covered with fine hair and beautiful purple flowers. It is a little later to mature than some other peppers, but made it here in New Mexico at 6.000 foot elevation.