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The rocoto (Capsicum pubescens) is a medium sized round pepper common in Peru and Bolivia. Rocoto pods have thick walls, like a bell pepper, but are quite hot. Foliage is dark green and pubescent (hairy). Seeds are dark or black. The plants grow up to 6 ft high if supported. The plant is a perennial and if protected from frost and pruned back it will grow many years.
Rocoto is among the oldest of domesticated peppers, and was grown up to as much as 5000 years ago by the Inca. The rocoto is probably related to undomesticated peppers that still grow in South America (cardenasii, eximium, and others).
Although most rocotos are red, there is also a yellow type that is common in the Caribbean and Mexico.
Other names for Rocoto: locoto (Bolivia), manzano, canario (the yellow type), caballo, & peron.
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