Capsicum annuum Sweet pepper (Solanaceae) Evergreen perennial

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Capsicum annuum
Sweet pepper
Evergreen perennial
(1 Page of 5)

The Capsicum annuum plant species is found in Probably native of the Tropics, but the original habitat is obscure. It is a member of the Solanaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Sweet pepper.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Capsicum annuum
Common Name:  Sweet pepper
Family:  Solanaceae
Author:  L.

Known Hazards:  Pungent-fruited peppers may cause painful irritation when used in excess, or after accidental contact with the eyes[238]. Although no reports have been seen for this species, many plants in this family produce toxins in their leaves. The sap of the plant can cause the skin to blister[200].

Mature Height:  1   Mature Width:  1

Habitat:  Not known in the wild.

Cultivation Notes: Requires a very warm sunny position and a fertile well-drained soil. Prefers a light sandy soil that is slightly acid[201]. Tolerates a pH in the range 4.3 to 8.3. Plants can tolerate a small amount of frost[171], but this species does not normally do well outdoors in an average British summer and so it is usually grown in a greenhouse in this country[1]. However, if a very warm sheltered position outdoors is chosen then reasonable crops could be obtained in good summers. This species is widely grown throughout the world, but especially in warm temperate to tropical climates, for its edible fruit - the sweet and chilli peppers. There are many named varieties[183]. There are five basic forms of fruits, each form having various varieites. These forms are:- Cerasiforme. These have small cherry-shaped pungent fruits. Conioides. These fruits are cone-shaped and up to 5cm long. Many of them are grown as ornamentals, but some are also cultivated for food.. Fasciculatum. Also cone-shaped, but with pungent red fruits up to 7.5cm long. Grossum. These are the sweet peppers with large bell-shaped fruits and thick flesh. Longum. These are the cultivated hot cayenne and chili peppers with long thin fruits up to 30cm long. The pungency of peppers depends upon the presence of a single gene, cultivars that lack this gene are the sweet peppers[238]. A short-lived evergreen perennial in the tropics[200], though the plants are grown as annuals in temperate zones[188]. Sweet pepper plantss are good companions for basil and okra[20, 201]. They should not be grown near apricot trees, however, because a fungus that the pepper is prone to can cause a lot of harm to the apricot tree[201].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

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