Capsicum Annuum (red Bell Pepper) - National Parks Board

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Capsicum annuum (red bell pepper)

Family Name:	Solanaceae
Common Name:	Capsicum, Bell Pepper, Cili Benggala, 灯笼椒

Full Sun

Moderate Water

Bird-Attracting Plant

Fruit or Vegetable

Annual

Shrub

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• Name
• Classifications and Characteristics
• Biogeography
• Description and Ethnobotany
• Landscaping Features
• Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
• Plant Care and Propagation
• Foliar
• Floral (Angiosperm)
• Fruit, Seed and Spore
• Image Repository
• Others

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Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Infraspecific Epithet
Common Names
Comments

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division	Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form	Shrub
Lifespan (in Singapore)	Annual

Mode of Nutrition	Autotrophic
Plant Shape	Shrubby
Maximum Height	1.5 m

Biogeography

Native Habitat	Terrestrial (Agricultural Land)
Preferred Climate Zone	Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal
Local Conservation Status	Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only)

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form	Annual herb to semi-woody shrub that grows erect up to 1.5 m tall.
Foliage	Leaves are elliptical, alternately arranged along the stem, has entire margin and a pointy tip.
Flowers	White, star-shaped flowers hang downwards from the stem. They are composed of 5 triangular, slightly cupped petals.

Fruit	Shiny, smooth fruits are botanically classified as berries. The flesh is crisp and juicy with a mild flavour. The skin is initially medium green and later turns to red. The interior is mostly filled with air and a large number of cream-coloured, disk-shaped seeds.
Cultivation	Keeping the fruit longer on the plant before harvesting increases its sweetness and Vitamin C content. Seeds may take 7 to 10 days to germinate. Depending on the varieties, the plant may take 90 to 120 days to mature. Grow the plant in a sunny location with a stake for support as the fruit may be heavy for the plant.
Etymology	The genus epithet 'Capsicum' refers to the hot taste of the fruit. The specific epithet 'annuum' means annual, which refers to the plant growth cycle in a year.
Ethnobotanical Uses	Edible Plant Parts : Edible FruitsFood (Fruit or Vegetable): Red bell peppers are widely consumed raw or cooked as a vegetable. They are rich in vitamins A and C. Cooking the peppers at higher heat for longer periods of time may destroy some of their nutrient content. The green bell peppers sold in supermarkets are typically red bell peppers that were harvested before they could turn red.

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features	Ornamental Fruits
Landscape Uses	Container Planting, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens
Thematic Landscaping	Economic Garden

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna	Bird-Attracting Plant (Fruits)
Pollination Method(s)
Seed or Spore Dispersal

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference	Full Sun
Water Preference	Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate	Moderate

Rootzone Tolerance	Easy to Grow, Fertile Loamy Soils, Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils
Fertilizing	Apply fertilizer high in K (potassium) to induce flowering and fruiting once every 2 weeks.
Potential Problems	Aphids, mealybugs, whiteflies, thrips
Diseases	Root Rot caused by Phytophthora capsici. This disease appears when soil is excessively wet due to overhead irrigation or heavy rain.
Pest(s)	Sucking Insects
Propagation Method	Seed

Foliar

Foliage Retention	Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s)	Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s)	Smooth

Prominent Young Flush Colour(s)	Green
Young Flush Texture(s)	Smooth
Foliar Type	Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem	Alternate
Foliar Attachment to Stem	Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s)	Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical)
Foliar Venation	Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin	Entire - Wavy / Undulate
Foliar Apex - Tip	Acuminate
Foliar Base	Cuneate

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality	Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s)	White
Flower Texture(s)	Smooth

Flower Symmetry	Radial
Individual Flower Shape	Stellate / Star-shaped
Flowering Habit	Polycarpic

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s)	Green
Mature Fruit Texture(s)	Smooth, Glossy / Shiny
Fruit Classification	Simple Fruit

Fruit Type	Fleshy Fruit , Non-Accessory Fruit
Mature Seed Colour(s)	Cream / Off-White
Mature Seed Texture(s)	Smooth
Seed Quantity Per Fruit	Numerous (>20)

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID	32106
Species ID	6512
Flora Disclaimer	The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.

Species record last updated on: 21 March 2022.

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