Capsicum

Capsicum
Red Capsicum and cross section
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Subclass:	Asteridae
Order:	Solanales
Family:	Solanaceae
Genus:	Capsicum L.
Species (selection)
C. annuum (incl. bell pepper, paprika, pimento, jalapeño, cascabel) C. frutescens (incl. cayenne, African birdseye) C. chinense (incl. habanero, scotch bonnet, Naga Jolokia) C. pendulum (incl. Piri piri) C. pubescens (incl. rocoto) C. baccatum (incl. Ají)

Capsicum is a genus of plants from the nightshade family (Solanaceae).

Some of these plants are used as spices, vegetables, or drugs. The fruit of Capsicum plants have a variety of names. They are often called chili pepper, red or green pepper, or just pepper in Britain and the US.

The large mild form is called bell pepper in British English and the US, capsicum in New Zealand English, Australian English and paprika in some other countries (although paprika can also refer to the powdered spice made from various capsicum fruit).

Capsicums originated in the Americas, but are now grown worldwide.