
Appearance
Although the species name ''annuum'' means “annual”, the plant is not an annual and in the absence of winter frosts can survive several seasons and grow into a large perennial shrub. The single flowers are an off-white color while the stem is densely branched and up to 60 centimetres tall. The fruit is a berry which may be green, yellow or red when ripe. While the species can tolerate most climates, ''C. annuum'' is especially productive in warm and dry climates.
Naming
Some cultivars grown specifically for their aesthetic value include the U.S. National Arboretum's Black Pearl and the Bolivian Rainbow. Ornamental varieties tend to have unusually coloured fruit and foliage with colors such as black and purple being notable. All are edible, and most are hot.References:
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