Piper piscatorum
Piper piscatorum, commonly known as the fish pepper, is a climbing medicinal shrub native to the tropical regions of India. Renowned for its unique pungent aroma, this plant is traditionally utilized in Ayurvedic practices to treat various ailments, including respiratory issues, digestive disorders, and inflammatory conditions through its bioactive properties.
- Scientific name: Piper piscatorum
- Family: Piperaceae
- Native range: Southern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, specifically classified within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further categorized under the order Piperales and the family Piperaceae. Finally, its taxonomic placement concludes within the genus Piper.
| 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, Piper piscatorum, is known by various regional names depending on the linguistic context. In English, it is commonly referred to as the fish pepper, while in Hindi, it is known as machhli mirch. In Bengali, the plant is called machhli mirch, and in Odia, it is identified as machhli mirchi.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide distribution across several regions of South America. In the northern part of the continent, it can be found throughout French Guiana, Guyana, and Venezuela. Its range extends into Western South America, specifically within the borders of Bolivia. Additionally, the species is documented within the West-Central region of Brazil. Together, these locations highlight the diverse tropical habitats where the plant thrives.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern South America | French Guiana | WCVP |
| Northern South America | Guyana | WCVP |
| Northern South America | Venezuela | WCVP |
| Western South America | Bolivia | WCVP |
| Brazil | Brazil West-Central | WCVP |
| Brazil | Brazil Northeast | WCVP |
| Brazil | Brazil North | WCVP |
Chemicals
Piper piscatorum has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include pipercallosidine, piperovatine.
- Total chemicals
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| pipercallosidine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| piperovatine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |