Capsicum annuum

Name and publication

Capsicum annuum L., Sp. Pl. 1: 188-189 (1753).

Description

Peppers are cultivated as a vegetable or condiment, depending upon the heat. The fruit, technically a many-seeded berry, is variable in size, shape, and color. Peppers used in potpourri are normally rather small, about 2-5 cm long, and bright red.

Nativity and distribution

Capsicum annuum is native from Florida to Colombia but cultivated worldwide

Family

Solanaceae

 fruits; photo by Julia Scher

fruits; photo by Julia Scher

 seeds; photo by Julia Scher

seeds; photo by Julia Scher

 four seeds; photo by Julia Scher

four seeds; photo by Julia Scher

 seed, close-up; photo by Julia Scher

seed, close-up; photo by Julia Scher