Family: Piperaceae
Author: Sw.
Bibliography: Prodr. Veg. Ind. Occ.: 15 (1788)
Year: 1788
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Piper
Vegetable: False
Observations: Mexico, Caribbean to S. Trop. America
Description
Jamaican pepper, scientifically known as Piper hispidum, is an intriguing plant species that belongs to the family Piperaceae. This species was first described in the “Prodromus Vegetationis Indiae Occidentalis” published in 1788 by the author Sw. The Jamaican pepper is native to a wide range extending from Mexico and the Caribbean to Southern Tropical America.
Characterized by its aromatic properties, Piper hispidum is commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions where the climate supports its growth. The plant has adapted well to these environments, thriving in the rich soils and humid conditions typical of its native regions.
The plant structure of Piper hispidum includes lush, vibrant green leaves that are often covered with a fine layer of hair, giving them a slightly rough texture. This distinctive characteristic contributes to the common name “hispidum,” which refers to its bristly appearance. The leaves also emit a peppery scent when crushed, indicative of the plant’s aromatic compounds.
Jamaican pepper holds cultural and economic significance in its native areas. In traditional practices, its leaves and fruits have been employed for various medicinal purposes, ranging from digestive aids to anti-inflammatory treatments. Additionally, the peppery flavor of the plant has made it a valued spice in local cuisines, where it is used to enhance the flavor of numerous dishes.
Ecologically, Piper hispidum plays a crucial role in its habitat. It forms part of a diverse understory in tropical forests, contributing to the ecosystem by providing food and shelter for various insects, birds, and small mammals. The plant’s flowers attract pollinators, thus aiding in the perpetuation of the species and maintaining the ecological balance.
In summary, Jamaican pepper is a versatile and significant plant species within the Piperaceae family. Its broad distribution from Mexico through the Caribbean to South Tropical America, robust adaptability, and multifaceted uses make Piper hispidum a notable subject of interest both in botanical studies and practical applications.
Common Names
Eng: jamaican pepper
En: Jamaican pepper
Synonyms
- Artanthe hirsuta (Miq.)
- Piper scabriseptum var. reductum (Trel.)
- Artanthe olfersiana ((Kunth) Klotzsch)
- Piper aegrum (Trel.)
- Piper pilipedunculum (C.DC.)
- Piper opizii ((Kunth) Steud.)
- Piper hirsutum (Sw.)
- Piper asperum (Pers.)
- Piper hirsutum var. magnifolium (C.DC.)
- Piper canescenticaule var. expansum (Trel.)
- Artanthe asperifolia (Miq.)
- Piper obesum (Vahl)
- Piper malanganum (Trel.)
- Piper hispidum f. surinamense ((Miq.) Steyerm.)
- Piper glaberrimicaule (Trel.)
- Steffensia scabra (Kunth)
- Piper bayamonanum (Trel.)
- Piper asperrimicaule (Trel.)
- Piper hirsutum var. fuscopunctulatum (C.DC.)
- Piper hispidum var. obliquum (Trel. & Yunck.)
- Piper virgulticola (Trel.)
- Artanthe scabra var. hirsuta (Griseb.)
- Steffensia olfersiana (Kunth)
- Piper silvivagum f. peruvianum (C.DC.)
- Piper amnigaudens (Trel.)
- Piper tardum (Trel.)
- Piper longegerminatum (Trel.)
- Piper hispidinervum (C.DC.)
- Piper aduncum (Vell.)
- Piper maestranum (Trel.)
- Piper paranapuranum (Trel.)
- Piper silvioberrans (Trel.)
- Artanthe controversa (Miq.)
- Piper subantillanum (Trel.)
- Piper sumideranum (Trel.)
- Piper rivialbi (Trel. & Yunck.)
- Piper alluvicola (C.DC.)
- Piper scabrum var. kalacroixense (Trel.)
- Artanthe obesa ((Vahl) Miq.)
- Piper perspicuibracteum (Trel.)
- Piper scabricaule (Trel.)
- Piper thebaudianum (Trel.)
- Piper cinereoramulum (Trel.)
- Piper canescenticaule (Trel.)
- Piper platannanum (Trel.)
- Piper hirsutum var. olfersianum ((Kunth) C.DC.)
- Artanthe aspera (Miq.)
- Artanthe hispida ((Sw.) Miq.)
- Piper masiseanum (Trel.)
- Steffensia hirsuta (Kunth)
- Steffensia asperifolia ((Rich.) Kunth)
- Piper hispidum var. magnifolium (C.DC.)
- Piper hispidum f. lanceolatum ((Trel. & Yunck.) Steyerm.)
- Piper hispidum var. plurinerve (C.DC.)
- Piper hirsutum var. jamaicense (C.DC.)
- Lindeniopiper williamsii (Trel.)
- Piper hispidum f. patulipilum ((Yunck.) Steyerm.)
- Piper olfersianum ((Kunth) Kunth ex Steud.)
- Piper leucofustum (Trel.)
- Piper hispidum var. lanceolatum (Trel. & Yunck.)
- Piper fruticosum (Steud.)
- Steffensia opizii (Kunth)
- Piper resatum (Trel.)
- Piper catucheanum (Trel. & Yunck.)
- Piper sabanillanum (Trel.)
- Piper hispidum var. albescens (C.DC.)
- Artanthe opizii ((Kunth) Miq.)
- Artanthe asperifolia f. surinamensis (Miq.)
- Piper patulipilum (Yunck.)
- Piper articulosum (D.Parodi)
- Piper angremondii (C.DC.)
- Artanthe scabra ((Kunth) Miq.)
Distribution
- Argentina Northeast (native)
- Brazil North (native)
- Brazil Northeast (native)
- Brazil South (native)
- Brazil Southeast (native)
- Brazil West-Central (native)
- Colombia (native)
- Cuba (native)
- Dominican Republic (native)
- Ecuador (native)
- French Guiana (native)
- Guyana (native)
- Haiti (native)
- Jamaica (native)
- Leeward Is. (native)
- Mexico Central (native)
- Mexico Gulf (native)
- Mexico Northeast (native)
- Mexico Northwest (native)
- Mexico Southwest (native)
- Paraguay (native)
- Peru (native)
- Puerto Rico (native)
- Suriname (native)
- Trinidad-Tobago (native)
- Venezuela (native)
- Windward Is. (native)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken Sep 29, 2022 by Rodrigues Pereira Lauana (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 30, 2021 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 6, 2021 by Pazzini Shely (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 4, 2022 by phi bel (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 10, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Jean-François Molino (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Oct 25, 2021 by pratiwir pratiwir (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 13, 2020 by Deepak Mitra (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 30, 2022 by Carlos Duque (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 30, 2021 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 15, 2019 by Nessa Vanessa (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Apr 30, 2019 by Valentin Oberlin (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 5, 2019 by Laure Willhelm (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 10, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Jean-François Molino (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 10, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Jean-François Molino (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 11, 2022 by Bárbara Andrade (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Jan 19, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Nov 27, 2009 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jan 19, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Apr 4, 2013 by R. Tournebize (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 4, 2013 by R. Tournebize (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Oct 25, 2021 by pratiwir pratiwir (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 4, 2021 by Sébastien TRASBOT (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 2, 2022 by pratiwir pratiwir (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 27, 2009 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Mar 4, 2021 by Sébastien TRASBOT (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Oct 10, 2012 by John Tasirin (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 19, 2021 by André Hirsch (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 19, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Oct 1, 2009 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken May 5, 2019 by Laure Willhelm (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3086355)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:681674-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Piper hispidum Sw.)
Specifications
Growth habit: Shrub