Chili pepper - Bell pepper - Capsicum annuum

Yellow bell pepper

The species Capsicum annuum contains many different varieties including the bell peppers (which are not hot) and many type of hot or vey hot chili peppers. These ‘peppers’ should not be confused with the black pepper, which is a different species (Piper nigrum).

Bell peppers are found worldwide in areas with tropical or warm climate. In temperate climates they can be grown in (heated) greenhouses.

Bell pepper fruits can be eaten raw (e.g. in salads) or cooked (e.g. in stir-fried dishes).

Names

Scientific
   Capsicum annuum
English
   Bell pepper
   Bird pepper
   Capsicum
   Cayenne
   Chili pepper
   Cow horn pepper
   Green pepper
   Guinea spice
   Hot chili pepper
   Jalapeño
   Red pepper
   Sweet pepper
Dutch
   Cayennepeper
   Chilipeper
   Paprika
   Rode peper
   Spaanse peper
French
   Piment
   Poivron
German
   Paprika
Other
   Peperoni

Taxonomy

Genus
   Capsicum
Family
   Solanaceae
Order
   Solanales

Basic information and facts

Origin:

Mexico

Distribution:

Bell peppers are found worldwide in areas with suitable (tropical or warm) climate.

Annual, biennial, or perennial:

Bell peppers are grown as an annual plant.

Flowers:

Flowers develop about 3 months after planting. Flowers are white.

Leaves:

Fruits:

Depending on the cultivar, ripe bell pepper fruits can be red, yellow, orange, purple or green.

Climate and weather:

Requires a warm (tropical) climate. Cannot tolerate frost. Bell peppers like hot and dry weather for fruit ripening.

Pollination:

Pollination by bees.

Height:

Spacing:

Soil:

Prefers a well-drained, sandy or silt-loam soil.

Propagation:

Direct seeding or transplanting.

Insect pests:

Various aphids, Thrips, Fruit fly, American bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera)

Diseases:

Phytophthora blight, Bacterial spot, Bacterial wilt, Various virus diseases.

Fruit development:

Fruits are first green, when ripening they turn yellow, orange or red.

Harvesting:

Fruits are picked by hand when green or ripe.

Uses:

Bell peppers can be eaten raw, for example in salads, or cooked, for example in stir-fried dishes.

Did you know that?

Bell peppers are very rich in vitamin C. Red and yellow bell peppers have more vitamin C than green ones.

Recipes

A perfect sweet pepper recipe is: Roasted sweet pepper rolls in tomato sauce

Pictures