Cayenne peppers are natives of southern North America and northern South America.
Most of the peppers we eat or grow as ornamentals are cultivated from this species, including anchos, banana peppers,
cayennes, de árbols, guajillos, jalapeños, anaheims, Italian sweets, pasillas, peperoncinis, pimentos,
poblanos, serranos, and tabascos. (A few, habaneros among them, have other origins.)
The 'Black Pearl' cultivar was developed by the U.S. National Arboretum, as an ornamental plant.
Identification: Plants are up to 1′ (30 cm) high (smaller than
many), densely
branched. They are annuals in cooler climates and woody perennials in warmer ones.
Leaves are oblong-ovate, ovate, or ovate-lanceolate, about 1-2″ (2.5-5 cm) long, and black.
Flowers are purple (most cultivars have white flowers), about 1″ (2.5 cm) in size, appearing from May to October. Fruits are shiny, oval in shape, ½-¾″ (1.3-1.9 cm) around, and black (or red) (most
cultivars are green, yellow, orange, or red).