CAPRIFOLIACEÆ. A rather large order of shrubs or herbs, often twining. Flowers terminal, corymbose, or axillary; corolla superior, regular or irregular. Leaves opposite, exstipulate. Well-known genera are: Linnæa, Lonicera, Sambucus, and Viburnum.
CAPRIFOLIUM. See Lonicera.
FIG. 364. FRUIT OF LONG AND ROUND CAPSICUMS.
CAPSICUM (from kapto, to bite; on account of the biting heat of the seeds and pericarp). ORD. Solanaceæ. Shrubs or sub-shrubs, rarely herbs. Peduncles extra-axillary, one-flowered. Leaves scattered, solitary, or twin, and quite entire. Many of the species, although possessing considerable beauty, are but rarely grown, either for decoration or for the use of their fruit; consequently, we confine our specific enumeration to the Common Capsicum, the Bird Pepper or Chili, and the Bell Pepper. The first two of these have long been in cultivation, for use either in a green state for pickles and for making Chili vinegar, or ripened and ground as Cayenne Pepper. Some sorts are exceedingly ornamental for greenhouse decoration in winter, if plants are well grown in rather small pots, and the fruit ripened under glass. The varieties producing small pods are the hottest, and consequently best suited for making Cayenne Pepper. These are generally called Chilies. All other varieties of Capsicum have a more or less pungent flavour, and those bearing larger pods are more profitable for use in a green state. The fruits of all are either red or yellow when ripe, and are of various sizes and shapes. Some are produced and stand erect on the upper side of the branches; others hang underneath. Fig. 364 represents hanging fruits of Long and Round Capsicums, the shapes of which are produced by both red and yellow varieties.
Cultivation. Being natives of tropical countries, Capsicums cannot always be depended upon to thoroughly ripen in the open air; but a good crop of green fruits may generally be obtained by preparing the plants early in the season, and planting out in a warm situation.
Sow the seeds in February or early in March, in pots or pans, placing them in heat; and so soon as the plants are large enough, pot off singly into 3in. pots, still keeping them in heat until well rooted. Place them into 6in. or 7in. pots before they become starved; and gradually harden off and plant out about 2ft. asunder, in June. The fruits ripen better if the plants are placed against a south wall and tacked on to it. The safest plan to obtain a crop of ripe fruits is to cultivate under glass. Pots of 7in. diameter are large enough. Rich soil must be used, and any spare frames are suitable in summer. Plenty of water and frequent syringings should be applied, as the plants are very liable to injury from red spider and other insects if this is in any way neglected. The fruits will keep some time after being ripe, but are never better than when fresh gathered; they may, however, be kept on the plants for a considerable period.
Sorts. Chili, Long Red, Long Yellow, Small Red Cayenne, Round Red, and Round Yellow. Good ornamental varieties are: Little Gem, a very dwarf variety, of comparatively recent introduction, covered with small, erect, red pods; and Prince of Wales, free fruiting, with hanging bright yellow pods.
C. annuum (annual). Common Capsicum. fl. white, solitary. June. Petioles glabrous. fr. oblong, pendulous, and erect, red or yellow, variable in shape. h. 1ft. to 2ft. South America, 1548.
C. baccatum. Bird Pepper or Chili. fl. greenish; peduncles twin. June. fr. small, erect, almost globose. l. oblong, glabrous, as well as the petiole. Branches angular, striated. h. 2ft. to 4ft. Tropical America, 1731. Greenhouse shrub.
C. grossum (large). Bell Pepper. fl. white. July. India, 1759.
CAPSULAR. Like a capsule.