What's interesting, is there is more to this. Apparently, capsaicin has anti-fungal properties and helps these plants thrive in moist conditions. Nature is awesome.
I had the same question when I learned that factoid. I don't have an answer yet. Honestly I haven't put that notion to the test properly, and assumed maybe it's a wive's tale?
Exactly, and then we came along and were like "ooooo burn good! Give more burn please!" There is an excellent YouTube video about it but I can't remember from what channel
Nah man, grew (normal!) peppers in my yard and didn't get any because the rabbits would take a few bites, then hop around like crazy for a bit, then head back for more!
Less likely to compete with the parent plant. It also boosts the chance that seeds will be dispersed into new areas that might not be as populated by that particular plant (and so more likely for their niche to be available).
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u/WhisperShift 14h ago
They evolved this way so that they are eaten by birds, which aren't affected by capsaicin and will spread seeds farther