Cayenne Pepper
(also referred to as...)
Chilipepper, Hot Pepper
Latin Name: Capsicum frutescens
Family: Solanaceae
Description
There are about ten wild species and four or five domesticated species of shrubby, annuals, biennials and perennials that are included in this tropical American genus. Capsicum peppers were first described in 1493 by Dr. Chauca, a physician on Columbus's voyages. Cayenne peppers were introduced from South America to India and Africa by the Portuguese. African bird pepper (Capsicum fastigiatum) is the nearest thing to the original wild plant and is considered the most important medicinally.
Cayenne fruit varies in size, colour and pungency. Pods are conical shaped and up to 10cm long, green, yellow to red in colour. They grow to 1 metre or more in height and have a woody stem at the base. Leaves ovate to lancelot in shape, with drooping flowers that are white to yellow in colour and appear singularly, in pairs or triplets and are attached where the branches fork.
Cayenne is found in tropical South America, Southern India and Africa. It is now cultivated around the world. It prefers rich, well-drained soil in full sun. Several insects may damage growing points and leaves and plants under cover may be affected by spider mites, whitefly, and aphids.
Unripe fruits are picked as required and used raw, pickled, or cooked. Ripe fruits are picked in summer and used fresh, pickled or dried in the shade for condiments, decoctions, ointments, powders, tinctures, tablets, liniments, and oleoresin.
