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 Capsicum annuum cultivars
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| Capsicum annuum L. |
Capsicum annuum is a domesticated species of the plant genus Capsicum native to Mexico.citation needed
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Description
The plant is a herbaceous annual, with a densely branched stem. The plant reaches 0.5–1.5 m (20–60 in). Single white flowers bear the fruit which is green when unripe, changing principally to red, some varieties may ripen to brown or purple.
Cultivation
While the species can tolerate most climates, they are especially productive in warm and dry climates.
Due to this climate tolerance, and the variety of flavors available, this New World plant spread across the world, possibly faster than any other crop.
Use
Food
The species is a source of popular sweet peppers and hot chili fruit, and numerous varieties are cultivated around the world. Despite being a single species, Capsicum annuum has many cultivars, with a variety of names. In American English it is commonly known as the chili pepper or bell pepper.
In British English, they are all called peppers, whereas in Australian and Indian English there is no commonly-used name encompassing all its forms, the name capsicum being commonly used for bell peppers exclusively.
Common varieties include:
- Aleppo
- Anaheim (also called California)
- Ancho (called poblano when fresh)
- Bell pepper
- Cascabel
- Cayenne
- Chilaca (called pasilla when dried)
- Chiltepin
- Cubanelle
- De árbol
- Dundicut
- Fresno
- Guajillo
- Hungarian wax
- Italian sweet pepper
- Jalapeño (called chipotle when smoked)
- Japanese
- Mirasol
- Macho
- Mulato (called poblano when fresh)
- New Mexico (known more widely as 'Anaheim')
- Pasilla (called chilaca when fresh)
- Pepperoncini
- Piquín
- Pimento (also called cherry pepper)
- Poblano (called ancho or mulato when dried)
- Puya
- Serrano
- Tien Tsin
Medicine
Hot peppers are used in medicine as well as food in Africa.[1]
John Lindley (1799-1865) wrote in his 'Flora Medica' (1838) about Capsicum annuum, page 509: 'It is employed in medicine, in combination with Cinchona in intermittent and lethargic affections, and also in atonic gout, dyspepsia accompanied by flatulence, tympanitis, paralysis etc. Its most valuable application appears however to be in cynanche maligna and scarlatina maligna, used either as a gargle or administered internally.'
See also
References
- ^ Grubben, G.J.H. & Denton, O.A. (2004) Plant Resources of Tropical Africa 2. Vegetables. PROTA Foundation, Wageningen; Backhuys, Leiden; CTA, Wageningen.
External links
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