Piri Piri
Heirloom pepper · Capsicum frutescens
- Breeding
- Heirloom
- Growth habit
- -
- Days to maturity
- 90-120 days
- Fruit
- red
- Weight
- -
- Bred by
- -
Also known as
| Name | Kind | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Peri Peri | Synonym | |
| African Bird's Eye | Synonym | |
| Bird's Eye | Shared name (ambiguous) | 'Bird's eye' is applied to small upright chiles across three continents and at least two Capsicum species. It describes a pod shape, not a variety. |
Commonly confused with
These are different varieties. A name shared between them does not make them the same seed.
- different variety
Zimbabwe Bird
Both are southern African bird chiles sold as piri piri; Zimbabwe Bird is a distinct regional selection.
Origin & history
The African bird's eye, naturalised across Mozambique, Angola and Zimbabwe after Portuguese traders carried Capsicum out of the Americas. Small, upright and hot enough that a handful seasons a whole bird.
Measurements
| Measurement | Value | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Days to maturity | 90-120 days | |
| Scoville heat | 50,000-175,000 SHU |
Traits
Disease resistance
No documented disease resistance, typical of heirlooms and older open-pollinated varieties. See pepper diseases for the cultural playbook that fills the gap.
Related varieties
- heirloom
Ají Cito
100-130 days
- heirloom
Bird's Eye Chili
85-110 days
- heirloom
Comapeño
90-120 days
- heirloom
Malagueta
90-120 days
- heirloom
Siling Labuyo
90-120 days
- heirloom
Zimbabwe Bird
90-120 days
Explore all pepper varieties · compare any two · when to plant it where you are
Sources & References
Evidence: 2 sources, including 1 independent reference.
- Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds catalog · Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Co., Seed Catalog
- Peppers: Vegetable and Spice Capsicums · CABI (2012), Scholarly Reference