Capsicum Species Identification Flowchart

There are 5 main domesticated species of Capsicum:

• Capsicum annuum
• Capsicum baccatum
• Capsicum chinense
• Capsicum frutescens
• Capsicum pubescens

Use this step-by-step guide to help identify your pepper plant’s species based on flower characteristics, seed colour, and flower arrangement.

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Step 1. What colour are the seeds and the corolla (flower petals)?

• Seeds black, corolla purple: Capsicum pubescens
• Seeds straw-coloured, corolla white/greenish/rarely purple: Continue to Step 2

Step 2. Are there yellow spots at the base of the corolla lobes?

• Yes: Capsicum baccatum
• No: Continue to Step 3

Step 3. What colour is the corolla?

• Purple: Continue to Step 4
• White or greenish-white: Continue to Step 5

Step 4. How many flowers appear per node?

• Solitary (one per node): Capsicum annuum

• Two or more per node: Capsicum chinense

Step 5. Is there a ring-like constriction at the base of the calyx (fruit stem)?

• Yes: Capsicum chinense

• No: Continue to Step 6

Step 6. Number of flowers per node?

• Solitary: Continue to Step 7

• Two or more: Continue to Step 8

Step 7. Corolla colour and form, Pedicel position

• Corolla lobes straight, Pedicel declining (fruit hanging down): Capsicum annuum

• Corolla lobes slightly revolute (rolled backward), Pedicel erect (fruit pointing upwards): Capsicum frutescens

Step 8. Corolla colour

• Corolla milky white: Capsicum annuum

• Corolla greenish white: Continue to Step 9

Step 9. Pedicel position and corolla shape?

• Pedicel erect (fruit points up), lobes slightly revolute: Capsicum frutescens

• Pedicel declining (fruit hanging), lobes straight: Capsicum chinense

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Need Help?

Still unsure? Bring in your plant or photos to Rasmussen Gardens, and we’ll help identify your Capsicum species.

Acknowledgement to Genetic Resources of Capsicum, FAO/IBPGR, 1983.