Piper carpunya

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ottonia carpunya
• Carpupica odorata
• Piper nieblyanum
• Schilleria carpunya
• Piper pallidirameum
• Steffensia carpunya
• Piper colombianum
• Piper cocherense
• Piper glabrirameum
• Carpunya lessertiana
• Carpunya peruviana

Sources: Wikidata

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 specifically identified by the genus Piper, with its species designation being Piper carpunya.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Piper carpunya, exhibits a specific distribution across Western South America. Its natural habitat can be found within the borders of Colombia. Additionally, the species is present in the tropical regions of Ecuador. It also thrives in various environments throughout Peru. Together, these three countries define the primary geographical range of this medicinal species.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Piper carpunya is characterized by its specific distribution across varying altitudinal gradients, typically thriving in mid-to-high altitude montane environments. This species exhibits a broad vertical distribution, with its habitat ranging from a minimum elevation of 900 m AMSL to a maximum peak of 2380 m AMSL. On average, the plant is most commonly found at a mean elevation of approximately 1800 m AMSL, suggesting a preference for the climatic conditions, moisture levels, and soil compositions typical of these specific altitudinal zones.

Elevational range max:

2380 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

900 m AMSL

Morphology

The morphology of Piper carpunya is characterized by a woody growth form that manifests as both a shrub and a tree. It is a terrestrial plant that functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic tendencies. In terms of its structural habit, it is classified as a self-supporting climber, possessing the ability to maintain its own structure without being an obligatory or facultative vine. The plant reaches a maximum height of approximately 6 m, with a mean plant height consistently recorded at 6 m. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit epiphyte characteristics such as being a holoepiphyte or hemiepiphyte, instead maintaining a stable presence on the ground.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

6 m

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Piper carpunya has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Revista de biologia tropical
2. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Chemicals

Piper carpunya has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Elemicin, LIMONENE, PIPERITONE, Saponins, polyphenols.

Elemicin

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

LIMONENE

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

PIPERITONE

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Saponins

1. Revista de biologia tropical

polyphenols

1. Revista de biologia tropical

Activities

Piper carpunya has 3 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antiparasitic, Antiulcer.

Antioxidant

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Antiparasitic

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Antiulcer

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Conditions

Piper carpunya has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include antidiarrheal, antiparasitic, wound healing, yeast.

Antidiarrheal

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Antiparasitic

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Wound healing

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Yeast

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Preparations

Piper carpunya has 1 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Alcoholic and aqueous extracts.

Alcoholic and aqueous extracts

1. Revista de biologia tropical