What is Capsicum?
{{italictitle}} {{Taxobox | name = ''Capsicum'' | image = Red capsicum and cross section.jpg | image_width = 250px | image_caption = Red Capsicum and cross section | regnum = [[Plant]]ae | divisio = [[Magnoliophyta]] | classis = [[Magnoliopsida]] | subclassis = [[Asteridae]] | ordo = [[Solanales]] | familia = [[Solanaceae]] | genus = '''''Capsicum''''' | genus_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]] | subdivision_ranks = Species (selection) | subdivision = * ''[[Capsicum annuum|C. annuum]]'' ** (incl. [[bell pepper]], [[paprika]], [[pimento]], [[jalapeño]], [[cascabel]]) * ''[[Capsicum frutescens|C. frutescens]]'' ** (incl. [[cayenne pepper|cayenne]], [[African birdseye]]) * ''[[Capsicum chinense|C. chinense]]'' ** (incl. [[Habanero chile|habanero]], [[scotch bonnet]], [[Naga Jolokia pepper|Naga Jolokia]]) * ''C. pendulum'' (incl. [[Piri piri]]) * ''C. pubescens'' (incl. [[rocoto]]) * ''C. baccatum'' (incl. [[aji pepper|Ají]]) }} '''''Capsicum''''' is a [[genus]] of [[plant]]s from the nightshade family ([[Solanaceae]]). Some of these plants are used as [[spice]]s, [[vegetable]]s, or [[drug]]s. The [[fruit]] of ''Capsicum'' plants have a variety of names. They are often called [[chili pepper]], red or green pepper, or just pepper in [[British English|Britain]] and [[American English|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. == Capsaicin == The fruit of ''most'' species of ''Capsicum'' contains [[capsaicin]]. It is a [[defence against herbivory]]. Capsaicin is a [[chemical substance|chemical]] that can produce a strong burning sensation in the mouth (and [[anus]]) of the unaccustomed eater. Most [[mammal]]s find this unpleasant, but birds are unaffected.<ref>Mason J.R. ''et al'' 1991. ''Journal