Piper anisum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ottonia latilimba
• Ottonia jaborandi
• Ottonia praecox
• Piper pteropoda
• Serronia jaborandi
• Piper carpinifolium
• Piper gardneri
• Piper punctatissimum
• Ottonia anisum f. glabrior
• Piper selloi var. latilimbum
• Piper jaborandi
• Piper yaguarundi
• Piper praecox
• Piper selloi
• Ottonia hookeriana
• Ottonia pteropoda
• Ottonia glaziovii
• Ottonia santa-ritana
• Ottonia diversifolia
• Ottonia mexiae
• Ottonia anisum
• Ottonia carpinifolia
• Ottonia burchellii
• Ottonia consanguinea
• Ottonia armondii
• Ottonia taperana
• Ottonia mexiae var. fertilior
• Ottonia diversifolia f. grandifolia
• Ottonia carpinifolia f. hirtipedicellata

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Piperales. Finally, it is a member of the family Piperaceae and falls under the genus Piper.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Piper anisum, exhibits a specific geographical distribution within South America. It is notably found in the Northeast region of Brazil. Furthermore, its presence extends into the Southeast region of Brazil as well. These two distinct areas represent the primary locations where the species can be located. Consequently, its habitat is concentrated within these specific Brazilian territories.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Piper anisum is defined by its ability to thrive within a diverse range of Brazilian biomes, demonstrating significant adaptability to varying moisture levels and vegetation structures. It is commonly found inhabiting the Cerrado (latu sensu), where it integrates into the complex mosaic of scrublands and savannas, as well as within the humid environments of the Mata de Galeria (Gallery Forest) and the Mata Ciliar (Riparian Forest), where it benefits from the increased soil moisture and shade provided by riverbanks. Furthermore, this species occupies the seasonal dynamics of the Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, where it must withstand periodic leaf shedding, and the high-humidity environments of the Floresta Ombrófila (Ombrophilous or Rain Forest), where consistent precipitation and dense canopy cover create the stable, moist ecological niche required for its development.

Habitat :

Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Piper anisum is characterized by its specific growth habit and survival strategy, categorized under the life form classification of chamaephyte. As a chamaephyte, the plant's perennating buds are located close to the soil surface, allowing it to withstand various environmental stresses by maintaining its vital organs at a low profile. This life history strategy enables the plant to effectively manage its seasonal development, utilizing its position near the ground to facilitate regrowth and persistence within its ecological niche.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Morphology

The morphology of Piper anisum is characterized by its terrestrial habit, typically growing in soil rather than aquatic or semiaquatic environments. It functions as a self-supporting plant, lacking the climbing or obligatory climbing mechanisms found in many other species within its genus. Regarding its growth form, the plant exhibits characteristics of both a shrub and a subshrub, presenting a structure that is intermediate between a herbaceous plant and a larger woody specimen. It is an independent organism that does not function as a parasite, and it maintains a strictly terrestrial lifestyle rather than acting as an epiphyte. Furthermore, the plant displays a woody nature, contributing to its structural stability and defined growth habit.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

subshrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Piper anisum has 3 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, leaf, stem.

Root

1. Bioresources and bioprocessing
2. Natural product communications

Leaf

1. Bioresources and bioprocessing

Stem

1. Bioresources and bioprocessing

Chemicals

Piper anisum has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Aristolactam AII, Aristolactam BIII, Aristolactam bi, STIGMALACTAM, goniothalactam.

Aristolactam AII

1. Natural product communications

Aristolactam BIII

1. Natural product communications

Aristolactam bi

1. Natural product communications

STIGMALACTAM

1. Natural product communications

goniothalactam

1. Natural product communications

piperolactam C

1. Natural product communications

Preparations

Piper anisum has 2 reported preparations identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extract, roots.

Extract

1. Journal of oleo science

Roots

1. Natural product communications