Non-Native Species
Chili
Chili pepper
(lada; capsicum annuum)
c. early 19th century
The staple ingredient in many Asian dishes is actually a native of South America, before it became widely distributed throughout the tropical belt by way of the Portuguese trade in the 15th to 16th century. Its small, greenish white flowers form the chili fruit, which ripen from green to yellow, orange or red.