Piper peltatum
Piper peltatum, commonly known as the peltate pepper, is a perennial herb native to tropical regions of the Americas. Distinguished by its large, shield-shaped leaves, this plant belongs to the Piperaceae family. It is valued in traditional medicine for its bioactive compounds, often used to treat digestive and inflammatory ailments.
- Scientific name: Piper peltatum
- Family: Piperaceae
- Native range: Northern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized into the subclass Magnoliidae, the order Piperales, and the family Piperaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by the genus Piper as Piper peltatum.
| 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 peltatum, is referred to by the common name kilppipar in Estonian.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| et | kilppipar | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is widely distributed across various regions of Mexico, including the Northeast and the Gulf areas. It can also be found throughout the Southwest and Southeast portions of the country. Beyond the Mexican borders, its presence extends into the tropical landscapes of Central America. Specifically, it is documented to grow within the territory of Belize. This broad range demonstrates the plant's ability to thrive in diverse Mesoamerican environments.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico | Mexico Northeast | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Gulf | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Southwest | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Southeast | WCVP |
| Central America | Belize | WCVP |
| Central America | Costa Rica | WCVP |
| Central America | El Salvador | WCVP |
| Central America | Guatemala | WCVP |
| Central America | Honduras | WCVP |
| Central America | Nicaragua | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known as Piper peltatum, utilizes its large, heart-shaped leaves as its primary medicinal component. These leaves are characterized by their distinct peltate structure, where the petiole attaches to the center of the leaf blade rather than the margin. In traditional herbal practices, these leaves are often harvested and processed to harness their bioactive compounds, which are believed to possess various therapeutic properties.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Piper peltatum has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 4-NC, 4-nerolidylcatechol.
- Total chemicals
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 4-NC | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 4-nerolidylcatechol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Piper peltatum has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include inflammation, malaria.
- Total uses
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| inflammation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| malaria | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |