Dragon-like capsicum set to help Philippine charity

All the proceeds from the capsicum, named the Green Dragon, will be donated to a Philippine charity

A capsicum with a stalk shaped like the head of a dragon has sold for $205 on Trade Me, with proceeds going to a Philippine charity to help with typhoon recovery.

The orange capsicum, named the Green Dragon, was picked at Matamata's Southern Belle Orchard last Thursday.

The seller said one of their staff who worked in their greenhouse was from the Philippines and had family who were badly affected by Typhoon Haiyan.

"Her local Philippine group is fundraising to get funds and food over there to help.

"In her honour we are auctioning this awesome looking capsicum & will pass all funds to the local Philippines group.''

The seller would also include some of their FireFlame chillies "to give the dragon some fire!''

The capsicum should last about four weeks if refrigerated, the seller said.

"This 'dragon' was not altered at all, it's exactly how we picked it, so completely natural!''

The auction generated a lot of interest, with the page viewed almost 21,000 times.

Positive comments were noted on the page, with one viewer writing "If only more people were as imaginative & altruistic as u th planet would b a beta place.''

Another saw a different creature in the vegetable: "Your dragon looks a lot like Jarjar Binks ... just saying''.

The auction closed at 9.03pm.