A cone-shaped, medium-hot chilli with very thin skin.

The pepper grows with the fruit pointing upwards, rather than downwards, as is normal in other pepper plants. The plant's upright growing habit is typical of 'ornamental' peppers.

Because of its attractive appearance, the dried chilli is often added to dishes whole. Although the chilli is often too hot to be consumed raw, it can be lightly cooked in oil to produce a milder equivalent.

The dried form in particular is considered a pantry staple in Sichuan cuisine, where it is.often fried whole in oil at the start of recipes. It is very fragrant and moderately hot (much less hot than tiny Thai chilies).