The listing, 15 Heirloom super HOT Chiltepin Pepper seeds 'the original wild chile' has ended.
I was visiting my grandmother a few years back when I noticed one of the plants sitting on her porch. It was a wiry-looking bush-type thing that had dozens of tiny little red berries all over it.
I wanted to eat one thinking they might be sweet when my grandmother laughed and warned that I probably shouldn't. I almost discovered what a punch these tiny little "berries" can pack!
I took a few of the little chiles from her plant home and was able to grow my own Chiltepin.
(My grandmother told me that the plant was a "Chile Pequin" but I later discovered that it's actually a "Chiltepin". Pequin chiles are more elongated while Chiltepin are round.)
The mother plant of these has been living in a little pot on the porch for two years now.
I harvested the seeds this morning from the dried pods, bare-handed, and even after the entire day passing and multiple good hand washes, my fingers still hold these Chiles' hotness. I rubbed my eye a little while ago and got a rather irritating surprise.
So be careful even when handling the seeds as these little peppers are HOT!
"Texas designated the chiltepin as the official state native pepper in 1997. The name "Chiltepin" is believed to be Aztec in origin. A tiny round berry slightly larger than a peppercorn.
Experts believe the Chiltepin is the original wild chile - the plant from which all other chile plants have evolved.
The bush grows an average of 4 feet tall, but there are reports of plants growing 10 feet and living 25-30 years. Heat level: 8 on a scale of 10 - very hot."
~ from - http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/Texas/Pepper_Chiltepin.html
You will receive fifteen (15) Chiltepin seeds that I've stashed in a little home-made white paper envelope.
I'll also try to include growing instructions.
Just so everyone knows, these seeds may take a while to germinate, as do most pepper seeds. So remember to have patience! :)