Piper crocatum
Piper crocatum, commonly known as the peppercorn plant, is a versatile medicinal herb valued in traditional wellness practices. Renowned for its pungent aroma and bioactive compounds, it possesses potent antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. This plant serves as a natural remedy for digestive ailments and various skin conditions.
- Scientific name: Piper crocatum
- Family: Piperaceae
- Native range: Southern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, specifically categorized within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified under the order Piperales and the family Piperaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Piper, within which its specific species name is crocatum.
| 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, known scientifically as Piper crocatum, is identified in Chinese as 紫红色胡椒 (zǐ hóng sè hú jiāo).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 紫红色胡椒 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, known as Piper crocatum, exhibits a specific geographical distribution within the Western South American region. Its natural habitat is primarily concentrated in the diverse landscapes of Ecuador. Additionally, the species is found throughout various parts of Peru. These two countries represent the core areas where the plant thrives in the wild. Consequently, its range is relatively localized to these specific western territories.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Western South America | Ecuador | WCVP |
| Western South America | Peru | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Piper crocatum, utilizes its leaves as the primary component for medicinal and culinary purposes. These leaves are characterized by their distinct shape and aromatic properties, containing the essential bioactive compounds responsible for the plant's therapeutic effects. In various traditional practices, the leaves are harvested and processed to harness their specific chemical constituents, making them the most significant part of the plant for medicinal application.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Piper crocatum has 4 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antifungal, Antinecrotic, Hepatoprotective.
- Total activities
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antinecrotic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hepatoprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Piper crocatum has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antioxidant, cirrhosis, dental caries.
- Total uses
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cirrhosis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dental caries | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |