Capsicum It is a genus of herbaceous or shrubby plants and annual or perennial cycle that belong to the Solanaceae family. It comprises a group of approximately 40 wild species, some cultivated for their commercial interest, native to tropical and subtropical America..
They are plants with branched stems, woody or semi-woody, foliage with simple leaves of bright green color, reaching up to 150 cm in height or more. The white, yellow or purple flowers are arranged in axillary inflorescences, the fruit is a fleshy berry of great economic interest of variable color and size.
The species Capsicum annuum, Capsicum baccatum, Capsicum chinense, Capsicum frutescens Y Capsicum pubescens are the main domesticated species of the genus Capsicum. Of them, the species Capsicum annuum It is the most commercially cultivated species, being cultivated under a great diversity of sizes, shapes, colors and ranges of itch.
The spicy flavor of its fruits is due to capsaicin, a substance developed as a means of defense against herbivores, but immune against birds that favor the dispersal of its seeds. Capsaicin content differentiates hot peppers from sweet peppers.
Its fruits are a key element in the traditional gastronomy of many regions, being used as a spice or condiment in various artisan dishes. Its cultivation, although reduced in surface area, is widely distributed in Mexico, the United States, South America and China, which are the main producers..
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They are herbaceous or shrubby plants, annual or perennial, with branched stems, glabrous or slightly pubescent, measuring between 1-4 m in height. Its pivoting root system reaches 0.5-1.5 m in depth and 1-1.5 m in extension, it has numerous adventitious roots that are grouped near the surface.
The leaves are simple, flat and petiolate, reaching 4-12 cm in length, opposite, oval or lanceolate, with a pointed apex and entire or sinuous edges. The surface is generally smooth with inconspicuous veining and bright green on both sides..
The hermaphrodite and actinomorphic flowers have 5 white, yellow or purple petals of more or less intense tones, they are grouped in axillary and pendulous inflorescences. In addition, they have 5 green sepals and a persistent bell-shaped and denticulate calyx, stamens welded to the corolla and a superior ovary..
The fruit is a slightly cartilaginous berry of different shapes (globular or conical) and sizes (up to 15 cm in length), red, yellow or orange when ripe. Its interior is divided into incomplete partitions in which the seeds are inserted in the thickened central area.
The seeds are usually round or reniform, 3-5 mm long and pale yellow in color, they are inserted in the conical placenta at a central level. Generally, one gram contains between 150-200 seeds and its viability under cool and dry conditions extends for 3-4 years..
Most species of the genus Capsicum They contain significant amounts of ascorbic acid, capsianosides (diterpenic heterosides) and capsicosides (furostanal heteroside). Capsaicinoids (capsaicin or capsaicin) are oleoresins formed by the union of an amide and a fatty acid, which provides the particular spicy flavor.
Capsaicin (8-methyl-non-6-enoic acid vanillamide) is the organic compound that is found in the highest concentration. The concentration of capsaicinoids is very low in bell peppers, reaching up to 1% in the hottest species..
Its characteristic coloration is due to the presence of capsanthin, a carotenoid with a cyclopepenic termination that increases when the fruit ripens. As well as traces of the carotenoids a-carotene, capsanthinone, capsorubin or cryptocapsin, and the xanthophyll violaxanthin.
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Division: Magnoliophyta
- Class: Magnoliopsida
- Subclass: Asteridae
- Order: Solanales
- Family: Solanaceae
- Subfamily: Solanoideae
- Tribe: Capsiceae
- Gender: Capsicum L.
- Capsicum: the name of the genus derives from the Latin "capsŭla, ae" which means "box or capsule", and from the diminutive "capsa, -ae" with the same meaning. Alluding to the shape of the fruit.
The main commercial species of the genus Capsicum they develop on any type of soil, as long as they are fertile and well drained. Prefers humid environments in forest or understory ecosystems, from sea level in the South Pacific to 2,400 meters above sea level in the Andean Cordillera.
They are native plants of the American continent, specifically of the tropical and subtropical regions of Mesoamerica and South America. However, its cultivation has spread widely around the world, and its consumption is traditional in many regions of the planet..
The fruits of the genre Capsicum They have a low caloric intake due to their high water content, almost 90%. However, they are high in vitamins A, B1, Btwo, B3, B6, C and E, minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and calcium, as well as folic acid, carotenes, and capsanthin.
In addition, they contain capsaicin, an oleoresin that gives the fruit a spicy flavor, as well as analgesic, antioxidant and anticoagulant properties. It is one of the most commercialized condiments worldwide, and its consumption strengthens the immune system, strengthens bones, improves vision and stimulates hair and nail growth..
Perennial herbaceous plant of variable size and annual cultivation cycle, commonly known as chili, chili, bell pepper, paprika or pepper. Native species of Mesoamerica, being considered the most commercially important crop of the genus, cultivated as green, yellow or red paprika.
Perennial herbaceous silver native to South America (Ecuador and Peru) that can reach up to 2 m in height and 1 m in width. Known as Andean chili or yellow pepper, it is widely cultivated in the highland areas, it is used as chili powder due to its fine aroma of violets..
It is a branched herbaceous or shrubby plant, reaching a height of up to 2.5 m, native to Mexico and Peru. This species includes the habanero pepper, the most common and hottest, the ají panca and the ají limo. The immature fruits of the habanero pepper are green, when they mature they turn orange and red, yellow, white, brown and pink being common..
Shrubby plant with dense foliage native to Central America from where it spread to the Caribbean and South America. It is famous for the cultivar "Tabasco" widely used for the production of hot sauce and pickles. The berries of 2-5 cm in length and yellow, red or intense green color present a high productivity.
Herbaceous plant that reaches 1.8 m in height and needs tutors for its cultivation. Known as rocoto or chile manzano, it is native to South America (Bolivia and Peru). The fruits of the hot pepper have thick, fleshy skin, are conical in shape, an intense yellow color and are spicy..
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