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:''This page is for the ''Capsicum'' genus, including Green or Bell peppers and various Chili peppers, for others see [[list of peppers]]''
__NOTOC__{{Plantbox
| name = ''Capsicum''
| common_names = Green pepper, Bell, Chili, Cayane, Habanero, etc, etc.
| growth_habit = herbaceous shrub
| high = ?cm (8in. to 4 ft{{SSN}})
| wide = <!--- 65cm (25 inches) -->
| origin = Americas
| poisonous = <!--- indicate parts of plants which are known/thought to be poisonous -->
| lifespan = perennial grown as annual
| exposure = full sun
| water = regular
| features = fruit
| hardiness = frost tender
| bloom = <!--- seasons which the plant blooms, if it is grown for its flowers -->
| usda_zones = all
| sunset_zones = all zones{{SSN}}
| color = IndianRed
| image = Capsicum1.jpg
| image_width = 200px <!--- leave as 240px if horizontal orientation photo, or change to 180px if vertical -->
| image_caption = Assorted bell pepper fruits from Mexico
| regnum = Plantae
|unranked_divisio = Angiosperms
|unranked_classis = Eudicots
|ordo = Solanales
|familia = Solanaceae
|genus = Capsicum
| species =
| subspecies =
| cultivar =
}}
Plants in this genus are known as Peppers (or Bell Peppers) in the US, Canada and United Kingdom{{wp}}, but as Capsicum elsewhere. There are a very wide variety of sweet or hot peppers in the Capsicum genus, closely related, which have similar growing needs. These include the sweet or Bell peppers (also known as Green peppers, though they come in a variety of colors), and hot chili peppers of many types, including tabasco, jalapeno, cayenne, habanero and many others.
Pepper plants are attractive small bushes, ranging from under a foot, to 4 feet tall{{SSN}} depending on the variety. The leaves are a deep, shiny green, which the ripening peppers can add color to. The cultivation of the plants is the same, regardless of variety, size, color, sweetness or spiciness. Can be planted as an informal border, in pots, or in the vegetable garden.
Sweet peppers never get hot, even if the flesh ripens to a red.
{{Inc|
[[Image:DSC03115.JPG|thumb|250px|Pepper bloom]]
Capsicum (name of uncertain origin, perhaps from kapto, to bite, on account of the pungency of the seed or pericarp; or from capsa, a chest, having reference to the form of fruit). Solanaceae. Red Pepper. Cayenne Pepper. Herbs or shrubs, originally from tropical America, but escaped from cultivation in Old World tropics, where it was once supposed to be indigenous.
Stem branchy, 1-6 ft. high, glabrous or nearly so: lvs. ovate or subelliptical, entire, acuminate: fls. white or greenish white, rarely violaceous, solitary or sometimes in 2's or 3's; corolla rotate, usually 5-lobed; stamens 5, rarely 6 or 7, with bluish anthers dehiscing longitudinally; ovary originally 2-3-loculed: fr. a juiceless berry or pod, extremely variable in form and size, many-seeded, and with more or less pungency about the seeds and pericarp. The fr. becomes many loculed and monstrous in cult.—About 90 species have been named, most of which are now considered forms of one or two species. Monogr. by Irish, 9th Ann. Rept. Mo. Bot. Gard.
}}
{{Inc|
{{Inc|
Pepper. With American horticulturists "pepper" usually means the red
Pepper. With American horticulturists "pepper" usually means the red
smaller sorts, like Coral Gem, Tabasco, Chilli, Cayenne, and Cherry
smaller sorts, like Coral Gem, Tabasco, Chilli, Cayenne, and Cherry
contain more of the pungent properties than the large kinds, like
contain more of the pungent properties than the large kinds, like
Ruby King (Fig. 2866), Squash, Bell, Sweet Mountain, and Golden
Ruby King, Squash, Bell, Sweet Mountain, and Golden
Queen. Some medium-sized varieties, like Long Red, Celestial, and
Queen. Some medium-sized varieties, like Long Red, Celestial, and
Oxheart, are hot; others, like County Fair and Kaleidoscope, are
Oxheart, are hot; others, like County Fair and Kaleidoscope, are
as tomatoes, cucumbers, and the like. Most gardens near large cities
as tomatoes, cucumbers, and the like. Most gardens near large cities
in the central and southern states have been growing a few to supply
in the central and southern states have been growing a few to supply
the local markets. During the last decade there has been a decided
the local markets.
In growing peppers, the seed is usually planted under glass in
In growing peppers, the seed is usually planted under glass in
heavily charged with humus and one that will not quickly dry out.
heavily charged with humus and one that will not quickly dry out.
appears to be the best. In May or June, or after all danger of frost
appears to be the best. In May or June, or after all danger of frost
is past, the plants (Fig. 2867) are set in the field in rows about 2
is past, the plants are set in the field in rows about 2
1/2 feet apart and 18 inches apart in the rows. The ground is kept
1/2 feet apart and 18 inches apart in the rows. The ground is kept
thoroughly cultivated, not only to keep down weeds but to maintain an
thoroughly cultivated, not only to keep down weeds but to maintain an
(Glaeosporium piperatum), which causes the fruit to rot about the
(Glaeosporium piperatum), which causes the fruit to rot about the
time it begins to ripen; the other is a dark anthracnose
time it begins to ripen; the other is a dark anthracnose
(Colletotrichum nigrum ). In preparing peppers for table use, handle
(Colletotrichum nigrum). In preparing peppers for table use, handle
them with gloves to prevent burning the fingers. Neither soap nor
them with gloves to prevent burning the fingers. Neither soap nor
water will soothe hands burned by peppers, but milk will
water will soothe hands burned by peppers, but milk will.
}}
}}