Capsicum L.

M. Thulin et al. Flora of Somalia, Vol. 1-4 [updated 2008] https://plants.jstor.org/collection/FLOS

Morphology General Habit

Herbs or shrubs, with indumentum of simple hairs

Morphology Leaves

Leaves alternate or in pairs, simple, entire or sinuate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers solitary or clustered in leaf axils

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx campanulate or tubular, shortly toothed, not or only slightly enlarged in fruit

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla campanulate or rotate, divided halfway or more

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens inserted at top of corolla-tube, exserted; anthers dehiscing longitudinally

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary 2–3-celled, with numerous ovules; style slender, stigma capitate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit a berry

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds compressed.

Distribution

Genus of some 40 species, all native in South America.

Solanaceae, Jennifer M Edmonds. Oliganthes, Melongena & Monodolichopus, Maria S. Vorontsova & Sandra Knapp. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 2012

Morphology General Habit

Annual or perennial herbs or slender shrubs, sometimes clambering

Morphology Leaves

Leaves alternate or opposite when one often smaller, stipulate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences axillary to leaf-opposed, fasciculate with 2–8 flowers or solitary-flowered, pedicellate; flowers actinomorphic; pedicels erect though sometimes apically geniculate in flower, erect or recurved in fruit

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx cyathiform to campanulate, often truncate, with 5(–10) lobes often prolonged through the calyx as prominent veins, slightly accrescent and persistent but not enlarged in fruit; sometimes with an annular thickening basally. Corolla campanulate-rotate to stellate with short tube and deeply lobed; lobes valvate in bud, usually spreading after anthesis

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 5, usually equal; filaments joined to corolla tube, sometimes by two conspicuous short, thick lateral basal appendages, glabrous; anthers connivent, basifixed, exserted. Ovary usually sessile, glabrous, bior tri-locular, ovules numerous; disc small or absent, annular; style filiform, often exserted; stigma capitate, globose, sometimes bilobed

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit dryish or sub-fleshy berries, 2- to 3- locular with large mesocarpellar cells, erect or drooping

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds rugose, reniform to suborbicular, compressed, numerous

Note

The literature and nomenclature surrounding these species, their varieties and cultivars is vast, complex and controversial with some authors still disagreeing over the treatment of various taxa, and even their common names. The history of their spread from the centres of origin to the rest of the world, and their early taxonomic treatments are given in Irish (1898), while Heiser & Smith (in Econ. Bot. 7: 214–227 (1953)), Heiser & Pickersgill (in Taxon 18: 277–283 (1969) & in Baileya 19: 151–156 (1975)) and D’Arcy & Eshbaugh (in Baileya 19: 93–105 (1974)) for example, all deal with successive treatments of the cultivated peppers and their complicated synonymy. The latest resumé of the generic taxonomy is given in Bosland & Zewdie (2001). These species display considerable variability in the shape and colour of their fruits, with the characteristic pungency being due to capsaicinoids, a mixture of seven phenolic amides or vanillilamides, which are unique to peppers (cf. Hunziker, 2001), and are concentrated in the seeds and inner surfaces of the fruits. Bosland & Zwedie (2001) found that capsaicinoid profiles were not consistent within species and therefore of limited use as chemotaxonomic identifiers. In addition to their pungent culinary value, these substances are also used medicinally - usually internally as a carminative and stimulant, and for flatulence and appetite loss, though they can cause skin irritation and blistering. A summary of the wide range of medicinal uses of these plants is given by Heiser (in Nightshades: 6–27 (1969)). Birds are thought to be immune from the pungent capsaicin in the fruit pods which prevents animals from eating them, but enhances dispersal by fruit-eating birds. The generic name, adapted from the Greek kapto, meaning to bite, refers to the hot taste of the fruits. The cultivated species are also widely consumed as a vegetable with the fruits providing a rich source of vitamins A and C, and occasionally grown as ornamentals. Though peppers rarely constitute an important commercial crop anywhere in Africa (Eshbaugh, 1983), in the US the sweet pepper crop in particular is very important commercially, with many varieties being grown ( cf. Heiser, 1969). Capsicum is an economically important genus whose species are major spice and vegetable crops throughout the world. They are universally known as peppers or as cayenne, chilli, sweet, green and red peppers and are probably the most important and widely consumed condiment. The introduction of Capsicum to Africa probably occurred through a combination of postColombian explorers, missionary work, colonial invasion, and trade ( cf. Eshbaugh, 1983); by the mid-1800’s there were reports of these species in various African countries. “Morogoro Chillies” otherwise known as ‘Habaneros’ or ‘Scotch Bonnets’, are apparently popular in East African cuisine, but these plants seem to be confined to cultivation. They are cultivars of C. chinense Jacq. and though they may occur as escapes in some regions, this species has not been encountered during this revision. Though some East African specimens have been identified as C. baccatum L., this species has not been positively identified from this region (see Excluded species, at the end of this genus). Hunziker (2001) considered that the genus comprised a natural assemblage of around 20 species and a few varieties, growing from Mexico to Central Argentina. Five of the species were domesticated, of which two, C. annuum and C. frutescens, are widely cultivated throughout Africa, while a third, C. baccatum has remained largely confined to South America, occasionally occurring as an introduction in Africa.