Plants and mushrooms

Chilli pepper

Common name		Chilli pepper
Botanical name		Capsicum frutescens
Other common names		Bird pepper
Family		Solanaceae
General description		This plant is a perennial herb or shrub to 2m tall, often cultivated for culinary use or as an ornamental.
Flowers		The flowers are white with a purple tinge, and grouped in the forks of leaves. The flower stalks are 1-1.5cm long.
Leaves		The leaves are alternate, elliptic with a smooth margin.
Fruit/Berries		The fruit are narrow, conical or elliptical, 1-1.5cm long and 0.5cm wide. They are red, orange or yellow at maturity, and contain numerous pale, flattened seeds.
Other		The clear sap is irritating to eyes and skin. Skin contact may result in a superficial patchy redness.
Symptoms		Chewing or ingestion of fruit may cause a burning sensation of the tongue and mouth, usually harmless.
Toxicity category		2, 3
Warning		For all eye exposures rinse the eye with water for 15 minutes and then seek urgent medical assistance.