Capsicum annuum (Peppers)

Native from the southern United States to Brazil and the Caribbean, this tender perennial herb or shrub grows about 1 to 4 feet tall and is often grown as an annual in colder climates. Its cultivated forms include sweet bell peppers, cayenne peppers, jalapeños, and ornamental peppers. Small white or purple flowers precede fruits that vary in shape and change color as they ripen. Culinary varieties are eaten fresh or dried as seasonings. Birds can eat hot peppers without the burning sensation caused by capsaicin, which can irritate human skin and eyes. It is naturalized in Taiwan. Photographed in Virginia, USA.