View source for Capsicum annuum

{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = ''Capsicum annuum''
| image = Capsicum annuum.JPG
| image_caption = Capsicum annuum cultivars
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| subclassis = [[Asteridae]]
| ordo = [[Solanales]]
| familia = [[Solanaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Capsicum]]''
| species = '''''C. annuum'''''
| binomial = ''Capsicum annuum''
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
| [[Image:Capsicum annum.jpg]]
}}

'''''Capsicum annuum''''' is a domesticated species of the plant genus ''[[Capsicum]]'' native to [[Mexico]], {{Fact|date=April 2007}}.

==Description==

The  plant is a [[herbaceous]] [[Annual plant|annual]], with a densely branched stem. The plant reaches 0.5&ndash;1.5 m (20&ndash;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 chilli fruit, it is cultivated around the world. Despite being a single species, ''Capsicum annum'' has many [[cultivar|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 English|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 pepper|Aleppo]]
*[[Ancho]]
*[[Bell pepper]]
*[[Cubanelle]]
*[[Dundicut]]
*[[Jalapeño]]
*[[Pimento]]
*[[Poblano]]
*[[Tien Tsin (Pepper)|Tien Tsin]]

===Medicine===

Hot peppers are used in medicine as well as food in Africa.<ref name="prota">Grubben, G.J.H. & Denton, O.A. (2004) Plant Resources of Tropical Africa 2. Vegetables. PROTA Foundation, Wageningen; Backhuys, Leiden; CTA, Wageningen.</ref>

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==
{{commonscat|Capsicum annuum}}
*[[List of capsicum cultivars]]
[[Category:Solanaceae]]
[[Category:Chili peppers]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]

==References==

{{Reflist}}

==External links==

*[http://database.prota.org/dbtw-wpd/exec/dbtwpub.dll?AC=QBE_QUERY&BU=http%3A%2F%2Fdatabase.prota.org%2Fsearch.htm&TN=PROTAB~1&QB0=AND&QF0=Species+Code&QI0=Capsicum+annuum&RF=Webdisplay PROTAbase on ''Capsicum annuum'']

*[http://plantanswers.tamu.edu/publications/vegetabletravelers/pepper.html Texas A&M University]
{{fruit-stub}}

[[cs:Paprička jalapeño]]
[[co:Pivaronu]]
[[de:Capsicum annuum]]
[[es:Capsicum annuum]]
[[fr:Piment]]
[[he:פלפל (ירק)]]
[[hu:Paprika]]
[[id:Paprika]]
[[it:Capsicum annuum]]
[[ja:トウガラシ]]
[[ko:카프시쿰 아눔]]
[[nl:Capsicum annuum]]
[[pl:Papryka roczna]]
[[pt:Páprica]]
[[ru:Перец овощной]]
[[sq:Speci]]
[[fi:Paprika]]
[[sv:Spanskpeppar]]
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