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For other uses, see Piper (disambiguation).

? Piper
Piper magnificum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Piperales Family: Piperaceae Genus: Piper L.
Species
See text

Piper is an economically and ecologically important genus in the family Piperaceae that includes about 1,000 – 2,000 species of shrubs, herbs, and lianas, many of which are keystone species in their native habitat, while others are a major invasive species in areas where they are introduced. The genus contains species suitable for studying natural history, natural products chemistry, community ecology, and evolutionary biology. The diversification of this taxon is of interest to understanding the evolution of plants.

Piper species have a pantropical distribution, and are most commonly found in the understory of lowland tropical rainforests, but can also occur in clearings and in higher elevation life zones such as cloud forests; one species (P. kadsura from southern Japan and southernmost Korea) is subtropical and can tolerate light winter frost. Peppers are often dominant plants where they are found.

Piper is a model genus for research in ecology and evolutionary biology. The diversity and ecological importance of the genus makes it an obvious candidate for ecological and evolutionary studies, though not surprisingly, most research has focused on the economically important species P. nigrum (black pepper), P. methysticum (kava), and P. betle (betel).

Obligate and facultative ant mutualists found in some Piper species have a strong influence on their biology, making them ideal systems for research on the evolution of symbioses and the effect of mutualisms on biotic communities.

Selected species

• Piper angustifolium
• Piper auritum or sanctum Mexican pepper
• Piper betle Betel
• Piper borneense
• Piper cenocladum Ant piper
• Piper cubeba Cubeb
• Piper decurrens
• Piper grandifolium
• Piper guineense Benin pepper
• Piper kadsura Japanese pepper
• Piper imperiale Malia's piper
• Piper longum Long pepper
• Piper macrophyllum
• Piper magnificum Lacquered pepper
• Piper metallicum
• Piper methysticum Kava
• Piper nigrum Black pepper (a.k.a. white pepper, green pepper)
• Piper officinarum
• Piper ornatum Celebes pepper
• Piper porphyrophyllum
• Piper retrofractum
• Piper rubronodosum
• Piper rubrovenosum
• Piper sylvaticum Mountain long pepper
• Piper unguiculatum

References

• Dyer, L.A. and A.N. Palmer. 2004. Piper: A model genus for studies of evolution, chemical ecology, and trophic interactions. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Boston. ISBN 0306484986

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