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Piper nigrum
| Family Name: | Piperaceae |
| Common Name: | Common Pepper, Pepper Plant, Black Pepper, White Pepper, Madagascar Pepper, Lada Hitan, 胡椒, 白胡椒, 黑胡椒 |
Black Pepper (Piper nigrum) is a tropical vine where its fruits are widely used as spices in cookings as well as traditional medicine. This plant grows well under bright but indirect sun with moderate watering and can be propagated via seed, stem cutting or runner.
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Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Climber |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 3 m to 4.5 m |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 3 m to 4.5 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Malabar Coast, Malaya, Java, India |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Woody climber. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves are typically ovate (egg-shaped) to ovate-oblong (elongated egg shape). |
| Fruit | Round fruits are botanically known as drupes (3-4 mm wide). Ripe fruits are red, while unripened fruits that are dried turn black. |
| Cultivation | Grow under bright but indirect sun. This plant requires support such as trellis or frames. Provide plant with well-drained soil rich in organic matter. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits Food (Herb or Spice): The dried pepper is used as food flavoring and preservation. Medicinal: In many Asian countries, pepper is used in folk medicine to treat a variety of conditions, such as colic, rheumatism, headache, diarrhoea, dysentery, cholera, menstrual pains, excess gas, and urinary problems. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Suitable for Hanging Baskets, Container Planting, Trellis / Arbour / Pergola |
| Thematic Landscaping | Economic Garden |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Fertile Loamy Soils, Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Pest(s) | Sucking Insects |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting (Tip), Stolon / Runner |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Glossy / Shiny |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Green |
| Young Flush Texture(s) | Glossy / Shiny, Smooth |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acuminate |
| Foliar Base | Rounded / Obtuse |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Unisexual Flowers , Monoecious |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
|---|
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Inflorescence Type | Spike |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Green, Black |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Smooth |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 196 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5262 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
