Piper aduncum
Piper aduncum, commonly known as peppertree or wild pepper, is a versatile medicinal shrub native to tropical regions. Renowned for its potent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, it is widely utilized in traditional medicine to treat digestive ailments, skin infections, and respiratory issues, offering significant therapeutic potential for holistic healing.
- Scientific name: Piper aduncum
- Family: Piperaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Piperales, it is classified under the family Piperaceae. It is further identified by its genus, Piper, and its specific species name, Piper aduncum.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Piperales | WCVP |
| Family | Piperaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Piper | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Piper aduncum, is known by various regional names across different languages and cultures. In Persian, it is referred to as پیپر ادانکوم, while in Haitian Creole, it is commonly called Bwa majò. The Arabic language uses the name فلفل ضيق الورق, a designation that is also used in Egyptian Arabic (arz). Additionally, in the Acehnese language, this species is known as Ranup dong.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| fa | پیپر ادانکوم | Wikidata |
| ht | Bwa majò | Wikidata |
| ar | فلفل ضيق الورق | Wikidata |
| arz | فلفل ضيق الورق | Wikidata |
| ace | Ranup dong | Wikidata |
| su | Seuseureuhan | Wikidata |
| bjn | Cambai | Wikidata |
| es | Higuillo de hoja menuda | Wikidata |
| es | Piper elongatum | Wikidata |
| es | Piper celtidifolium | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several distinct oceanic and tropical regions. Within the Malesia zone, it is commonly found in Malaya and the islands of Jawa. Its presence extends further into the Lesser Sunda Islands and even reaches the remote Christmas Island. Additionally, the species can be located in the Middle Atlantic Ocean on Ascension. These diverse locations highlight the wide environmental adaptability of Piper aduncum.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Atlantic Ocean | Ascension | WCVP |
| Malesia | Jawa | WCVP |
| Malesia | Lesser Sunda Is. | WCVP |
| Malesia | Malaya | WCVP |
| Malesia | Christmas I. | WCVP |
| Papuasia | Solomon Is. | WCVP |
| Southwestern Pacific | Fiji | WCVP |
| Southwestern Pacific | Vanuatu | WCVP |
| Southeastern U.S.A. | Florida | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Central | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Piper aduncum, is characterized by its lush, green foliage where the leaves serve as a primary source of bioactive compounds. Each individual leaf typically exhibits an acute tip and prominent venation, contributing to the overall structure of the aerial part of the plant. Because the medicinal properties are often concentrated in these above-ground sections, the entire aerial part is frequently harvested for various traditional therapeutic applications.- Total parts
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 7
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aerial part | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Piper aduncum has 21 reported phytochemicals identified across 23 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 2',6'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxydihydrochalcone, dillapiole, 2',6',4-trihydroxy-4'-methoxydihydrochalcone, 3,5-bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-4-methoxybenzoic acid, Dillapiole.
- Total chemicals
- 21
- Scientific sources
- 23
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 2',6'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxydihydrochalcone | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dillapiole | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 2',6',4-trihydroxy-4'-methoxydihydrochalcone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 3,5-bis(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-4-methoxybenzoic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Dillapiole | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aduncumene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anodendroic acid methyl ester | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| asebogenin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| caryophyllene epoxide | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| chromene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Piper aduncum has 6 reported activities identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antimicrobial, Antipyretic, Cytotoxic.
- Total activities
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 12
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antipyretic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Repellent | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Piper aduncum has 7 reported medicinal uses identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Mycobacterium tuberculosis, bacteria, fungi, mollusks, oxidative stress.
- Total uses
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Mycobacterium tuberculosis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bacteria | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fungi | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| mollusks | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oxidative stress | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| respiratory diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| wound healing | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |