Capsicum aka Pepper

Taxonomy

Capsicum, a genus of flowering plants in the Solanaceae family, is native to the Americas and grown worldwide for its chili pepper or bell pepper fruit. One type of Capsicum is the Habanero pepper, which produces large, wrinkled fruits that start off lime green and mature to orange and fiery red. These peppers are 5 x 3cm in size and have a very hot, spicy flavor, with a Scoville rating of 250-350,000 SHU. They can be harvested from July to October. Capsicum annuum, another species within the genus, is commonly cultivated in southern North America and northern South America. It encompasses a wide variety of pepper shapes and sizes, ranging from mild to hot, including bell peppers, jalapeños, New Mexico chile, and cayenne peppers. Cultivars descended from wild American bird peppers can still be found in warmer regions of the Americas. Although the species name suggests it is an annual plant, Capsicum annuum is actually frost tender and can survive multiple seasons in the absence of winter frosts, growing into a large, shrubby perennial herb. The plant produces off-white flowers and has a densely branched stem that can reach up to 60 cm (24 in) in height. The fruit of Capsicum annuum are berries that come in various colors when ripe, such as green, yellow, orange, or red. While the species can tolerate most frost-free climates, it thrives in warm and dry environments.

Common names

Pepper

How to care for Pepper

Difficulty

If you're looking for a plant that offers a moderate level of challenge, Pepper is a great choice to test your gardening skills.

Lighting

Pepper requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Pepper is always in the right place to thrive.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for Pepper to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.


More info:
Wikipedia