The earliest recollection of cayenne pepper in any documented form was in 1493, when Christopher Columbus' voyage. With the booming spice and herb trade taking precedence, the discovery of this hot spice was not only important, but quite exciting to herbalist around the world. Cayenne Pepper has many names, including hot flame, devil's tongue, red bird pepper, African pepper, cockspur pepper and goat's pepper.
Hot peppers originate in the tropics, but can be successfully grown in other areas.
They need approximately 14-16 weeks of growing time. In Michigan, the plants are set as soon as danger of frost has passed, and by the end of September, the plants are about 2 or 3 feet in height and loaded with both green and red peppers. The longer the peppers remain on the plant, the more red they will become. Don t be fooled, green pods are just as hot. However, always consult a physician when using cayenne pepper for medicinal uses.