Eli5: why do chilli plants turn red to attract animals to disperse seeds but also produce the spicy chemical to put them off?

Question

Eli5: why do chilli plants turn red to attract animals to disperse seeds but also produce the spicy chemical to put them off?

In: 6541

Answer 1

Many of the fruits that we find toxic or unpalatable are fine for birds. Mammals have the tendency to chew up seeds and obv plants dont want that. They want their seeds spread around so they can make more little plants.

Since birds tend to swallow fruit whole, many plants have adapted to deter mammals from eating their fruit. Chilis are one example. Birds arent affected by the capsaicin.

Nightshade is actually another example. Its potentially lethal to us but the birds can eat it just fine.