*Capsicum annuum Linnaeus var. annuum . Bell Pepper, Chile, Pimiento, Paprika, Ancho, Jalapeño, Cayenne, Pepperoncini, Serrano, and many others. Phen: Jun-Dec (-May). Hab: Naturalized or persistent from gardens; commonly cultivated, rare as a naturalized species. Dist: Native of Mexico (but early spread through Central America by native Americans, and since nearly worldwide in distribution at least in cultivation). A very influential food crop introduced from the New World to the Old World, now important in various (especially tropical or subtropical) cuisines, including Hunan, Szechuan, Indian, Thai, various African, Mexican, and others.

Origin/Endemic status: Neotropics

Other Comments: The great majority of our cultivated forms of peppers and chilis are of this species.

Synonymy: = K1, K3, K4, Andrews (1995), Bosland & Votova (2000), D'Arcy & Eshbaugh (1974), De (2003); = Capsicum annuum L. – S; = n/a – Pa; < Capsicum annuum L. – NY, RAB

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