Piper interruptum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Piper clemensiae
• Piper ellipticibaccum
• Piper laevirameum
• Piper cumingianum
• Piper pilispicum
• Piper abraense
• Piper samaranum
• Piper loheri
• Piper pulogense
• Piper triandrum

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Following its placement in the subclass Magnoliidae and order Piperales, it is categorized under the family Piperaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Piper.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several distinct regions of the Pacific and Asia. Within Eastern Asia, its presence is specifically noted in Taiwan. Moving into the Malesia region, it can be found growing in the Philippines. The species also extends into Papuasia, where it inhabits both New Guinea and the Bismarck Archipelago. Finally, its range reaches further into the Papuasia region through the Solomon Islands.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Morphology

The morphology of Piper interruptum is characterized by its growth habit as an obligatory climber, a trait that necessitates the use of external supports to ascend toward light sources. Its vegetative structure features slender, flexible stems that utilize specialized attachment mechanisms to navigate through surrounding vegetation. The leaves are typically arranged in an alternate pattern, exhibiting a distinct shape and venation characteristic of the Piperaceae family, often with an acute apex and a smooth or slightly wavy margin. The stem architecture is adapted for continuous elongation, allowing the plant to effectively climb and colonize various structural substrates in its natural habitat.

Climber :

obligatory

Physiology

The physiology of Piper interruptum is characterized by complex metabolic processes optimized for its specific ecological niche, involving specialized pathways for nutrient uptake and energy conversion. Its metabolic framework relies heavily on efficient photosynthesis and the regulation of transpiration to maintain cellular homeostasis. Regarding its interaction with soil nutrients, the plant does not exhibit the capacity for biological nitrogen fixation; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms. Consequently, its nitrogen-fixing status is categorized as no, meaning it must rely entirely on the assimilation of nitrates and ammonium present in the soil substrate to support its protein synthesis and enzymatic functions. This physiological dependency dictates its nutritional requirements and its role within the local nutrient cycling process.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Piper interruptum is characterized by the development of specialized fruiting structures that serve as the primary vehicle for seed dispersal. The plant produces fruits that exhibit specific morphological dimensions, varying in size to ensure reproductive success. These fruits typically maintain a mean length of 0.45 cm, though they can fluctuate within a distinct range; the smallest recorded fruits measure approximately 0.3 cm in length, while the largest specimens can reach a maximum length of 0.6 cm. This variation in fruit size is a key component of its reproductive cycle, facilitating the maturation and eventual distribution of its progeny within its natural habitat.

Fruit length max:

0.6 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.45 cm

Fruit length min:

0.3 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

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

Stem

1. Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand = Chotmaihet thangphaet

Chemicals

Piper interruptum has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 6-Shogaol.

6-Shogaol

1. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie

Conditions

Piper interruptum has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cervical cancer, diarrhea, liver cancer.

Cervical cancer

1. Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand = Chotmaihet thangphaet

Diarrhea

1. Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand = Chotmaihet thangphaet

Liver cancer

1. Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand = Chotmaihet thangphaet

Preparations

Piper interruptum has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Pikutbenjakul.

Pikutbenjakul

1. Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand = Chotmaihet thangphaet