Capsicum annuum is a flowering plant in the family Solanaceae (nightshades), native to the northern regions of South America and to southwestern North America. The plant produces berries of many colors including red, green, and yellow, often with pungent taste. It is one of the oldest cultivated crops, with domestication dating back to around 6,000 years ago in regions of Mexico. The genus Capsicum has over 30 species but Capsicum annuum is the primary species in its genus, as it has been widely cultivated for human consumption for a substantial amount of time and has spread across the world. This species has many uses in culinary, medicine, self-defense, and ornamental applications. Although the species name annuum means 'annual' (from the Latin , 'year'), the plant is not an annual but is frost tender. In the absence of winter frosts it can survive several seasons and grow into a large, shrubby perennial herb.

Common names including the word pepper stem from a misconception on the part of Europeans taking part in the Columbian exchange. They mistakenly thought the spicy fruits were a variety of the black pepper plant, which also has spicy fruit. However, these two plants are not closely related. Commonly used names for the fruit of Capsicum annuum in English vary by location and cultivar. The larger, sweeter cultivars are called "capsicum" in Australia and New Zealand. In Great Britain and Ireland, cultivars of the plant are typically discussed in groups of either "sweet" or "hot/chilli" peppers, only rarely providing the specific cultivar. In Canada and the United States it is commonplace to provide the cultivar in most instances, for example "bell", "jalapeño", "cayenne", or "bird's eye" peppers, to convey differences in taste including sweetness or pungency.

Characteristics

alt=Capsicum annuum fruits|thumb|Capsicum annuum fruits

Capsicum annuum cultivars look like small shrubs with many branches and thin stems, with a tendency to climb. Some varieties can grow up to two meters tall (6.56 feet) using others to climb on. The shrub has oval glossy leaves sometimes growing to in length; while generally green, depending on the cultivar the leaves can turn dark purple or black as the plant ages. Being a flowering plant with variations there are different shapes of flowers and fruits produced on individuals typically having star or bell shaped flowers coming in a range of colors including purple, white, and green. Just as the flowers, the fruits of this species comes in various shapes (berry shape to bell pepper shape), and colors including red, yellow, green, and black. Although this variant lacks in capsaicinoids, it is still packed with various bioactive compounds, carotenoids, and vitamins, making them a valuable crop. Capsicum annuum have also experienced "domestication syndrome" leading to several morphological and phytochemical changes leading to increased fruit and/or seed size, changes in reproductive cycles, and changes in plant structure. However, as a consequence of the cultivation of the wild species, some variants have experienced decreased fitness, leaving them vulnerable (and unlikely to survive) when not being cultivated.

Pollination

alt=Capsicum annuum flower in Behbahan|thumb|Capsicum annuum flower in [[Behbahan]]

Flowers of Capsicum annuum generally consist of 6–7 petals and sepals, have 7 stamens, and contain an ovary that is superior to a single style consisting of 2–3 carpels and a single stamen.

Members are self pollinators, but cross pollination often occurs when plants are grown in large quantities, via bees, wasps, and ants.

Within the flowers there are several reproductive structures that are used in pollination and fertilization, the two relative include the anthers and the ovary. Anthers are the male organ producing the microgametes (pollen) that will disperse to fertilize the megagamete that is located in the ovary of the female reproductive organ, leading to the development of the propagule (fruit).

After fertilization the fruit of the plant begins to develop which is determined by the specific variety that is being grown. The fruit grows to maturity, then is ready for dispersal of its seeds.

The species is a source of popular sweet peppers and hot chilis, with numerous varieties cultivated all around the world, and is the source of popular spices such as cayenne, chili, pimentón and paprika powders, as well as pimiento (pimento).

Capsinoid chemicals provide the distinctive tastes in C. annuum variants. In particular, capsaicin creates a burning sensation ("hotness"), which in extreme cases can last for several hours after ingestion. A measurement called the Scoville scale has been created to describe the hotness of peppers and other foods.

Traditional medicine

In old civilizations such as the Mayan and Aztec, capsicum species including C. annuum were used to treat many illnesses including asthma, toothaches, coughs, and sores. Today these practices still exist in developing countries, using them for their antioxidant, antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiviral properties.

Pests

Even with its defensive strategies, Capsicum annuum can still fall victim to several pests and viruses. Some can harbor viruses deadly to the species, these include whiteflies and aphids. Another pest which is quite vicious is a weevil (Anthonomus eugenii Cano) which the larva of this pest affects the plants during the flowering and fruiting stages of its life, and can reduce its production rate by up to 90%.

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File:Capsicum annum L. var. fasciculatum Irish.jpg|Capsicum annuum L var. fasciculatum Irish

File:朝天椒果實.jpg|Capsicum annuum L. var. fasciculatum Irish

File:Capsicum annuum-Red Chilli Pepper 01.jpg|Dried Capsicum annuum Red chili pepper

File:Capsicum annuum.JPG|Capsicum annuum cultivars

File:Capsicum annuum (Guajillo) - dried.jpg|Dried Guajillo chili pod

File:RoyalEmbersFlower.JPG|Typical Capsicum annuum flower, Royal Embers

File:Bolivian Rainbow fruits.JPG|Bolivian Rainbow with its fruits in different stages of ripeness

File:C.annuum-8.jpg|Capsicum annuum var. bola or ñora

File:Capsicum annuum 'count dracula'.jpg|Capsicum annuum Count Dracula

File:Dried Capsicum annuum-Red Chilli Pepper on Nanglo.jpg|Dried Capsicum annuum Red chili pepper on Nanglo

File:Capsicum annuum-Red Chilli Pepper 02.jpg|Dried Capsicum annuum Red chili pepper

File:Capsicum annuum 'numex memorial day'.jpg|NuMex Memorial Day

File:Capsicum annuum 'explosive embers'.jpg|Capsicum annuum Explosive Embers

File:Chili pepper seeds.jpg|Chili pepper 'subicho' seeds for planting

File:Болгарский перец. Восточная Сибирь.jpg|Bell pepper in Eastern Siberia

File:Chicago-style hot dog.jpg|Chicago-style hot dog with sport peppers

File:Dundicut Pepper Flower in Behbahan, Iran.jpg|Capsicum annuum flower in Behbahan, Iran

File:Dundicut Pepper in Behbahan, Iran II.jpg|Capsicum annuum fruits in Behbahan

File:Dundicut Pepper in Behbahan, Iran I.jpg|Capsicum annuum fruits

File:Dundicut Pepper in Behbahan, Iran III.jpg|Capsicum annuum fruits in Behbahan, Iran

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See also

  • List of Capsicum cultivars
  • Paprika
  • Chili pepper

References

Further reading

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