Cap"si*cum (?), n. [NL., fr. L. capsa box, chest.] Bot.
A genus of plants of many species, producing capsules or dry berries of various forms, which have an exceedingly pungent, biting taste, and when ground form the red of Cayenne pepper of commerce.
The most important species are Capsicum baccatum or birs pepper. C, annuum or chili pepper, C. frutesens or spur pepper, and C. annuum or Guinea pepeer, which includes the bell pepper and other common garden varieties. The fruit is much used, both in its green and ripe state, in pickles and in cookery. See Cayenne pepper.
© Webster 1913.