Capsicum frutescence L.
An highly branched perennial undershrub . Leaves solitary , lanceolate to broadly ovate or elliptic , base rounded to attenuate , entire , ciliate , with scattered hairs , lamina membranous or papyraceous . Flowers 2-3 (4) , whorled rarely solitary . Calyx rugose , cupose or sub-tubular , 5-10 ribbed. Corolla rotate - companulate , ovate-triangular , acute ; white yellow to green . Fruit ovoid-oblong or irregularly fusiform , erect from nodes ; green , orange or red when mature . Seeds obovate sub-circular ; brown .
- Family: Solanaceae
- Habit: An erect perennial small herbaceous shrub upto 3m tall .
- Habitat: Naturalized in disturbed places , roadside weed
- Status : Common
Vernacular names
English - Chilli
Hindi - Mirch
Malayalam - Kantharimulaku
Tamil - Mulaga
Kannada - Gaandhari menasu
Medicinal Uses
* The fruit contains a chemical called Capsaicin - reduce pain and swelling .
* Application to skin reduces back pain .
* Antifungal activity and antibacterial activity (Ashok.H.Sidarai , Raghavendran. K. Sali, 2023) antimicrobial activity (singh et al., 2011) .
* Fruit helps in digestion .
* Leaf paste is used to treat toothache.
