Bell pepper
Capsicum annuum var. grossum

Family: Solanaceae

What it is like

An annual plant up to 1.5 m high. Leaves solitary or paired; the petiole is 4-7 cm and the leaf blade oblong and 4-13 cm long by 1.5-4 cm wide. The flowers are produced singly and are yellow or white. Fruit are about 10 cm long and 6 cm wide and red when fully ripe. Kinds with different shaped fruit also occur. Seeds are pale yellow, kidney shaped and 3-5 mm.

There are 10 Capsicum species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. Plants grow from sea level up to about 2400 m altitude. They are killed by frost. Soils need to be well drained and fertile. The fruit and plants can rot in the middle of the wettest seasons.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Central America, China, Fiji, Honduras, Madagascar, India, Nauru, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Sikkim, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Tuvalu, Vanuatu

How it is used for food

The fruit are edible raw or cooked. The leaves are edible cooked.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable.

Edible parts

Fruit, herb, spice, leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. It is possible to save your own seed. Seed will keep for 2 to 3 years. Seeds germinate in 6 - 10 days. Plants can be transplanted. Plants need to be about 50 cm apart.

The first fruit can be harvested after 3-4 months.

Its other names

Local names

La jiao, Pilopilombazaha, Simla mirch

Synonyms

Probably now Grossum group;