Pepper (Piper guineense, Beskr. Guin. Pl.: 19 (1827))

Family: Piperaceae

Author: Schumach. & Thonn.

Bibliography: Beskr. Guin. Pl.: 19 (1827)

Year: 1827

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Piper

Vegetable: False

Observations: Trop. Africa, Madagascar

Description

Pepper, scientifically known as Piper guineense, is a notable species within the Piperaceae family. The plant holds a distinguished botanical classification and was first described in 1827, with the authoritative reference attributed to Schumach. & Thonn. Being indigenous to tropical regions, this pepper species predominantly inhabits areas across Tropical Africa and Madagascar, packaging within its lush foliage and pointed berries a historical significance and diverse utility.

This pepper is a key ingredient in many regional cuisines, celebrated for its distinct and robust flavor profile. The pungency and aromatic properties of Piper guineense make it an essential spice, often utilized in creating traditional African dishes and spice blends. Its application extends beyond culinary uses, as it also holds value in traditional medicine, where it is employed to address a variety of ailments due to its believed medicinal properties.

Growing in the warm, humid climates of Tropical Africa and Madagascar, Piper guineense thrives in these environments, making it a vital agricultural crop for local farmers. The cultivation of this pepper not only supports biodiversity but also offers a sustainable source of income and economic stability for communities engaged in its production and trade.

In summary, Piper guineense is more than just a pepper plant; it is a vital cultural, medicinal, and economic resource in the regions where it grows. Its storied introduction in the early 19th century by Schumach. & Thonn. in their work, “Beskr. Guin. Pl.,” marks the beginning of its documented journey and the continued appreciation of its contributions to both the culinary world and local ecosystems.

Common Names

Deu: aschantipfeffer
Eng: benin pepper, guinea cubeb, ashanti pepper, pepper
Lin: boloko, bololoko, pilipili
Spa: pimienta de guinea
Fra: poivre d’anchantis
Kin: rubonde
En: Pepper, False cubeb pepper, Benin pepper, Guinea cubeb, Ashanti pepper
Fr: Poivre du Kissi, Poivre d’Anchantis
De: Falscher Kubebenpfeffer, Aschantipfeffer
Rw: Rubonde
Ln: Boloko, Bololoko, Pilipili
Pt: Pimenta-de-rabo, Pimenta-de-são-tomé Jiefo
Es: Pimienta de Guinea

Synonyms

• Piper sclerocladum (C.DC.)
• Piper guineense var. velutinum (De Wild.)
• Piper demeusei (C.DC.)
• Cubeba clusii (Miq.)
• Piper leonense (C.DC.)
• Piper guineense var. gilletii (C.DC.)
• Piper famechonii (Heckel ex C.DC.)
• Piper guineense var. congolense (C.DC.)
• Piper laurentii (De Wild.)
• Piper clusii ((Miq.) C.DC.)
• Piper guineense var. clusii ((C.DC.) Engl.)
• Piper guineense var. thomeanum (C.DC.)
• Piper zenkeri (C.DC.)

Distribution

• Angola (native)
• Benin (native)
• Burundi (native)
• Cabinda (native)
• Cameroon (native)
• Central African Repu (native)
• Congo (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• Gabon (native)
• Gambia (native)
• Ghana (native)
• Guinea (native)
• Guinea-Bissau (native)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (native)
• Ivory Coast (native)
• Kenya (native)
• Liberia (native)
• Madagascar (native)
• Mali (native)
• Nigeria (native)
• Sierra Leone (native)
• Sudan (native)
• Tanzania (native)
• Togo (native)
• Uganda (native)
• Zambia (native)
• Zaïre (native)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Fruit

Taken Sep 29, 2013 by Gnagbo Anthelme (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 13, 2019 by Gnagbo Anthelme (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 21, 2013 by Gnagbo Anthelme (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3086326)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:681598-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Piper guineense Schumach. & Thonn.)

Specifications

Growth