[CH] South African Chile Primer (fwd)
Michael Bowers (mkbowers@wiley.gsm.ucdavis.edu)
Tue, 25 Jul 2000 10:16:00 -0700
From: Peter Moss <pmoss@yoda.alt.za>
Date: Sun, 23 Jul 2000 14:54:54 RSA-2
Subject: Re: FWD: Question
Priority: normal
X-mailer: Pegasus Mail v3.40
Anthony
There are about 26 known and recognised species of Capsicum.
Five of which are cultivated.
C. frutescens
C. annuum
C. chinense
C. baccatum
C. pubescens
It is almost impossible to guess the species from the fruit of
most varieties unless they conform to a really unique shape of
the species. There are many varieties from different species
that have similar shape. But as a generalisation only.
C. frutescens; Small conical pointed, mostly erect growing. The
tabasco chile and common in SA spread by birds chile that grows
in the "wild".
C. chinense; Mostly globular with deep wrinkles. Some are
pointed and some have an inverted tip. Well know examples are
habanero and Scotch bonnet.
C. annuum; almost any shape you can think of from large round
(bell peppers) to long pointed (cayenne) including small round
to small pointed. And from erect growing to hanging. C.
annuum is the most widely cultivated and has the largest
variation of size and shape.
C. baccatum; Has a large number of pod shapes but is easily
recognised from the flower.
C. pubescens; has a small variety of pod shape. From chinese
lantern to apple shaped. The flesh is thick with large cells.
The seeds are black, wrinkled and large. The flower is purple.
Can be difficult to grow on a commercial basis. Has a long
growing period and needs a cooler climate. I grow mine under
the shade of a large oak tree. (Pietermaritzburg max summer 37
deg C plus)
Identification of species is from the flower and number of fruit
per node and not pod shape.
The first three will cross readily with each other.
C. baccatum has white flowers with spots, green, yellow or
brown. The fruit has a charactistic berry like smell and flavour.
C. pubescens has a purple flowers (violet), dark green hairy
largish leaves.
C. annuum flowers are white and rarely but known violet. Hairy
and dark leaf varieties are known (serrano)
C. chinense and C. frutescens flowers are greenish white.
As far as I know there are few to no suppliers of C. baccatum or
C. pubescens seeds in South Africa. C. chinense varieties are
available (few) from specialist seed suppliers or growers.
Most seed companies carry some C. annuum seeds (cayenne, bell,
Jalapeno) Try Mayford seeds in Johannesburg.
Get a copy of Peppers of the world, an identification guide,
Dave DeWitt & Paul Bosland, Ten Speed Press, ISBN 0-89815-840-0
Or order it from Amazon.com. It has a species identification
tree.
If your reason for identification is for seed sales or use then
this is a waste of time unless some means of preventing cross
pollination is taken.
Regards
Peter
PS Mike if you think this may be of interest to the CH list
please post it.
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> Date: Fri, 21 Jul 2000 16:41:04 -0700
> Hi there,
> We are a nursery in Stellenbosch and have been growing a
> variety of chilies for some years. The problem we have is
> when we harvest and the chilies dry out, we battle at
> identification. Is there a good book specialising in all
> types of chilies available? Also as a matter of interest, how
> many varieties are there?
> Is there a chili seed place that you may know of in South
> Africa where we could source various types of chilies. There
> is a product here in SA called 'Stoneys Pepperdews' these are
> round, red chilies that are not that hot, there are four types
> of heat, mild, regular, hot and very hot and they are
> delicious. Does anyone out there know what type of chili is
> being used? Appreciate any information you can give on the
> above and thanks.
>
> Anthony Smuts. hherbs@mweb.co.za
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--
Peter Moss
After one hundred and fifty years and many thousands of firearms
control laws to reduce crime the list of successes should be
long and illustrious. Where is the list?