Capsicum Annuum

Annuum (meaning annual, under correct growing conditions they can be perennials) is the most extensively cultivated throughout the world of the capsicum species, making up over half of the domesticated varieties.

It is because it cross pollinates so easily there are probably thousands of varieties existing. They are generally the fastest growing and most tolerant. Producing a huge range of colours, shapes and flavours.

The single flowers are an off-white (sometimes purplish) colour, no spots, while the stem is densely branched. They are the lower end if the Scoville scale. Mostly between 0 to 50,000 SHU

Varieties include: Bolivian Rainbow, Cayenne, Chiltepin, Fresno, Hungarian Yellow Wax, Jalapeño, Thai Varieties, Jaloro, Peter Pepper, Pusa Jwala, Poblano, Super Chili, Santa Fe Grande, Sweet Banana and Thai Hot.

Capsicum Chinense

Chinense (meaning "from China,“) which is not completely correct as the species include the habanero’s which are from the Amazon region of South America. These are the bad boys of the chilli world. They are a big fruity flavour and intense heat. Most chilli’s range from 300,000 SHU to over 2,000,000 SHU. Plants are bushy and squat and are the most tender of the chilli varieties.

Flowers have white to yellowish corollas, no spots with purple anthers and filaments. Slow growers with a long season.

Varieties include: Carolina Reaper, Trinidad Moruga Scorpion, Butch T, Douglah, Death Spiral, 7 Pot, Habanero, Scotch Bonnet, Datil and Fatalii.

Capsicum Pubescens

Pubescens (meaning hairy), are a tiny group of chillies from central America. Originating in Bolivia, now being cultivated from the Andes to Mexico and across central America.

The common name for this species is Rocoto. They produce unique style pods and have a Scoville rage normally between 30,000 to 50,000 SHU.

Flowers have purple corollas, no spots, purple anthers and stand erect above the leaves. Hardy plants with a long growing season. Thee pods are fleshy with black seed, they will not cross with any other variety.

Varieties include: Rocoto Roja, Rocoto Canario, Rocoto Marron and Rocoto Peron.

Capsicum Baccatum

Baccatum (meaning berrylike), originated from the Andean region in Peru and Bolivia and are now found throughout south America.

They have some of the stranger looking pods. Their heat range is normally between 30,000 to 50,000 SHU. Plants have a sprawling vine like growth, with prolific fruity flavoursome pods.

Smooth relatively small leaves. This species is distinguished from the other species by the flower corollas being white with distinctive dark green or yellow/brown spots, and anthers being yellow or tan.

Fruity flavour being used in salsas or dried and ground into powders.

Varieties include: Ají Lemon Drop, Brazilian Starfish, Aji Amarillo, Bishops Crown and Sugar Rush Peach.

Capsicum Fruitescens

Fruitescens (meaning shrubby or bushy). Medium heat chillies are erect and all of similar shape, small elliptical cones. Coming from the Amazon basin in Brazil and the Mexican city of Tabasco, hence the most recognizable one being the Tabasco. Now finding their way to India and the Far East where they are called bird pepper.

Flowers have greenish white corollas with no spots and blue anthers, erect pods up to 1.5 inches long. Makes good pot plants.

Varieties include: Tabasco African Birdseye, Thai pepper. Demon Red and Prik Kee Noo

Wild Capsicums

Wild capsicum plants are the ancestors of our current domesticated peppers and only grow naturally in Americas, from Argentina to southwest USA. There are currently about 30 known and verified wild capsicum species. Wild capsicum species excel in beauty and are mainly shrub like, the flowers vary in colour and shape, many are white or cream with purple, green or brown spots, although there are purples and one species known with yellow flowers.

Varieties include: Capsicum rhomboideum, Capsicum galapagoense, Capsicum tovari, Capsicum eximium, Capsicum flexuosum and Capsicum buforum.