Some informations about CHILI-PEPPERS (Capsicum)

Cultivated Capsicum species

Of the currently 33 known capsicum species, only five species are cultivated. The other 28 species are so-called wild species. Among the cultivated species count

C. Annuum, C. Baccatum, C. Chinense, C. Frutescens, and C. Pubescens.

Capsicum Annuum

The species C. Annuum is the most common and widespread representative of the genus Capsicum. C. Annuum was probably domesticated and cultivated in Mexico over 7000 years ago. Among the species are the most famous peppers and chilli varieties such as vegetable peppers, cayenne and jalapeño.

Capsicum baccatum

C. Baccatum probably originates from Bolivia and was cultivated there about 3000 years ago. This species was already cultivated by the Incas. Today it is cultivated mainly in South America and used in domestic kitchens. Known varieties are for example Lemon Drop, Brazilian Starfish and Aji Amarillo.

Capsicum Chinense

C. Chinense was so named by Nicholas of Jaquin, since he received a C. Chinense plant from an Asian dealer from China. Like all species, however, it also comes from South America and not from China. The varieties of the species are almost always very sharp to extremely sharp chili varieties, like the well-known Habanero, Scotch Bonnet and Bhut Jolokia. The list of the sharpest chilies is dominated exclusively by Chinense varieties and is currently headed by the Carolina Reaper variety.

Capsicum frutescens

The plants of the species Capsicum frutescens are small shrubs with a height of up to 2 m. They grow initially krautig, but can also be heavily felled in old age. Typical for Capsicum frutescens are the ever-upright flowers and fruits. The blooms stand to several in the branches of the shoot axis. The calyx is almost cylindrical, slightly serrated and has no annular thickening at the inflorescence, as occurs, for example, in capsicum chinense. The crown is white or green, the crown-lobes protruding or bent. The dust bags are blue to violet, rarely also yellow. The handle is 1.5 mm or more beyond the dust bag. The fruits usually mature more slowly than other cultivated species of the genus, ripe fruits fall off easily and are mostly red colored.

Capsicum pubescens

Capsicum pubescens is a plant species of the genus Capsicum (peppers), which is mainly known in Central and South America. The name part pubescens means hairy and points to the hairy leaves of this kind. The plants, but especially the fruits of this kind, are often referred to as Rocoto and Locoto (especially in Bolivia, Peru) or Chile Manzano and Chile Peron (especially in Mexico). As they reach a relatively high age and the trunk grows quickly, the name Baumchili is occasionally also common. Of all domesticated peppers, this is the least common and systematically the furthest away from all others.

There are also some wild forms to which I write another text ...

If you like my info so give me a follow or leave a comment or even an upvote