Scientific Name:
Capsicum
spp.
Pronunciation:
KAP-sih-kum
Common Name:
spicy hot pepper, chili pepper
Family Name:
Solanaceae
Plant Type:
Greenhouse produce plant, Vine or climber
Key ID Features:
Leaves alternate, ovate, most blades expand to 4-12cm long x 2-10cm wide, margin entire; flowers 2-3cm wide, petals white, 5-7; berries hollow, most elongated, 2-6cm long x 0.5-1.5cm wide, commonly red or green, spicy hot.
Habit:
Upright
Form:
Creeping / Mat-like
Texture:
Medium
Mature Height:
0.7 - 1.3m
Mature Spread:
0.3 - 0.6m
Growth Rate:
Fast
Origin:
Central America, Mexico, South America
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 9: (-7 to -1 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun
Soil/Growing Medium:
Well-drained
Landscape Uses:
Herb, Medicinal plant
Additional Info:
Google. Species shown or on campus shown may include C. annuum and C. chinense. Several other species exist, notably C. frutescens, C. pubescens, and C. baccatum.
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Alternate
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible, Pinnate venation
Surfaces:
Glabrous
Colour in Fall:
Yellow
Shapes:
Ovate
Apices:
Acuminate
Bases:
Attenuate
Margins:
Entire
Inflorescence Type:
Flowers solitary
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
5
Corolla Shape:
Rotate/stellate
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, White
Flower Scent:
None
Flower Time at Peak:
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Additional Info:
F1 hybrids may have an extra petal or two
Fruit Type:
Berry (true), Edible
Fruit Colour:
Orange, Yellow, Green, Red
Fruiting Time:
Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Additional Info:
Showy, Edible
Bark or Stem Colour:
Green
Maintenance:
High
Pest Susceptibility:
Aphids, Beetles or weevils, Diptera - true flies, Mites, Thrips, Virus
