Capsicum annuum (Grossum Group)

The Grossum Group of this species is better known as Bell Pepper, Sweet Pepper, Green Pepper, or Red Pepper. They are members of the Solanaceae or Nightshade family. The plant is a tropical perennial, but it is usually grown as an annual vegetable. The plant grows upright and bushy. They have dark green lance-shaped leaves, small white flowers, and edible fruits. The fruit is classified as a berry and ranges in color from green, yellow, orange, red, purple, black, and white. The immature fruit is green.  As the fruits mature, the color changes and the taste is sweeter.   

The plant is native to South America, specifically, southern Brazil and Bolivia. They have been grown in Mexico since 2500 BC. Reportedly, Christopher Columbus brought the plant to Europe, and it spread to many parts of the world, including India.

The genus name, Capsicum, comes from the Greek word Kapto, which means "to bite." Most species of this plant contain capsaicin.  This is a chemical that produces a burning sensation in the mouth when eaten.  The amount of capsaicin in peppers varies and is dependent on genetics. The gene is recessive in Sweet Peppers, so they do not contain capsaicin. The genus name is also thought to be Latin in origin for Capsa which means "box." This reflects the squarish or block shape of the fruit.

Sweet Peppers prefer full sun, moist, and well-drained soils. Drought stress may cause the flowers to drop. Cool-weather, extreme heat, and low humidity can also cause the flowers to drop. The plant also prefers loamy or sandy soil with a pH between 5.5 to 6.8. Applying a well-balanced fertilizer at the time of planting and when the first flowers appear will encourage plant growth and fruit production. Staking the plant may be advised to prevent the fruit from reaching the ground. They are propagated by seeds.

The leaves are simple, alternate, and green. The flowers are small white to yellow star-shaped blooms. The fruits form about 2 to 6 days after the flower drops. The shape and color of the fruit are dependent on the variety. The fruits may be round, elongated, or block-shaped. They will not reach their full color until they ripen. The fruits should be harvested regularly to encourage continued fruit production. The best way to harvest the fruits is by cutting them from the stem.

Sweet Pepper may be grown in a small area, flower beds, vegetable gardens, or as a border plant. Since they are warm-weather plants, they may be brought in during the winter as a houseplant.

This vegetable's high water content will add moisture to any dish.  It can be eaten raw or cooked.  Its colors also make an attractive addition to dishes. 

• Green Sweet Peppers are not as sweet as other peppers, because they have been removed from the vine before the natural sugars are produced. They have a bitter and tangy taste.
• Orange Sweet Peppers have a tangy, fruit taste. They are great for adding color to a salad. They have a high juice content and are firm, crisp, and crunchy.
• Red Sweet Peppers are the sweetest and have a nice flavor when grilled. They are firm, crisp, and crunchy.
• Yellow Sweet Peppers have a sweet taste and high nutritional content. The thick, fleshy skin will hold the chargrilled flavor. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: The mains pests for the Sweet Pepper plant are whiteflies, thrips, and red spider mites. Although few insects will kill the Sweet Pepper, several may damage the plant and fruit. Other insects that may be found include beet armyworms, cutworms, flea beetles, aphids, leafrollers, weevils, tomato fruit worms, and tomato psyllid. 

Thrips carry the highly infectious tomato spotted wilt virus. Other viruses found include mild mottle virus and tobacco mosaic virus. Diseases that may damage or destroy the fruit include fungal diseases such as damping-off, crown and root rot, stem and fruit rot, gray mold, and powdery mildew. 

Blossom end rot may develop from calcium deficiency. Sunscald may cause papery spots on the fruit. Good leaf coverage should be able to protect the fruits.

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits, and Nuts" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.   

More information on Capsicum annuum.