Chilli (Capsicum annuum) grows throughout India from sea level to 2,000 ft altitude. It is a short-lived perennial herb but is cultivated as an annual herb. Red Pepper has oblong and glabrous leaves. The flowers are solitary, and vary from pure white to bluish white in color. Sometime it is found in violet color.
The fruits are green (maturing into yellow) and pendent. It is variable in size (up to 20 cm long and 10 cm in diameter), shape and pungency, and are sometimes lobed. The seeds (white or cream to yellow) are thin and circular, having long placental connections. The fruits contain Capsicoside A. Apart from its culinary use; it is used externally for the treatment of rheumatism, lumbago and neuralgia.
