pariparoba

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• pariparoba
• txu xan pei nimeraua

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Lepianthes umbellata
• Peperomia subpeltata
• Pothomorphe subpeltata
• Piper umbellatum var. subpeltatum
• Peperidia sidifolia
• Peperomia sidifolia
• Pothomorphe sidifolia
• Heckeria sidifolia
• Piper subpeltatum var. parvifolium
• Piper umbellatum var. majus
• Piper umbellatum var. glabrum
• Piper cuernavacanum
• Piper umbellatum var. vestitum
• Peperidia subpeltata
• Pothomorphe umbellata var. glabrior
• Pothomorphe umbellata var. vestita
• Pothomorphe umbellata
• Peperidia umbellata
• Pothomorphe dombeyana
• Peperidia afzeliana
• Pothomorphe allenii
• Peperomia grandifolia
• Piper dombeyanum
• Piper subpeltatum
• Piper sidifolium
• Piper reniforme
• Piper umbellatum var. tomentellum
• Piper umbellatum var. geminatum
• Heckeria sidifolia var. subglabrata
• Piper subpeltatum var. sidifolium
• Heckeria subpeltata
• Pothomorphe umbellata var. glabra
• Heckeria umbellata
• Pothomorphe umbellata var. cuernavacana
• Piper afzelianum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

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. Specifically, its taxonomic designation is placed within the genus Piper.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed throughout the West Tropical Africa region. Specifically, its presence is documented in the country of Ghana. It can also be found growing within the borders of Guinea. Furthermore, the species inhabits the tropical landscapes of Ivory Coast and Liberia. Finally, its geographical range extends into Nigeria, completing its regional distribution.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Piper umbellatum is characterized by a broad adaptability to diverse environmental conditions across various landscapes. It thrives in a wide range of habitats, including anthropic areas, the Cerrado (latu sensu), riparian or gallery forests, ombrophilous forests (also known as rain forests), and restinga ecosystems. This species demonstrates significant altitudinal plasticity, occupying an expansive elevational range that extends from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 2200 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

2200 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Restinga

Life history

The life history of Piper umbellatum is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth patterns and ecological positioning, it exhibits a dual classification of life forms, functioning as both a phanerophyte and a nanophanerophyte. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its stem or woody structures above the ground, while its nanophanerophytic traits indicate that its reproductive or specialized stems remain relatively low to the ground, facilitating its survival within its specific niche.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Piper umbellatum is characterized by a woody, shrub-like growth form that functions as a self-supporting plant rather than a climbing liana or vine. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit epiphytic or aquatic habits, maintaining an independent lifestyle without parasitic dependencies. The plant's stature varies significantly depending on environmental conditions, with recorded heights ranging from a minimum of 0.9 m to a maximum of 2 m, resulting in an average plant height of approximately 2.83 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2 m

Plant height mean:

2.83333333333333 m

Plant height min:

0.9 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Piper umbellatum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, meaning it utilizes the Calvin cycle to fix carbon dioxide during the light-independent reactions, a common metabolic strategy for plants in its genus that typically thrive in shaded or understory environments. In terms of nutrient cycling and symbiotic relationships, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, lacking the specialized root nodules or symbiotic associations with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into biologically available forms.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Piper umbellatum is characterized by a highly flexible phenology, with flowering periods that are variable throughout the year, potentially occurring in any month from January through December. The plant produces fleshy fruits, which serve as the primary vessel for its offspring. These fruits contain exceptionally small seeds, with a consistent seed mass of approximately 7.3e-05 g and a uniform seed volume of 0.059 mm³. The dispersal of these seeds follows a zoochorous syndrome, meaning they are primarily spread through animal interactions, which is aided by the fleshy nature of the fruit.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Flowering time :

variable

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit type :

other

Seed mass mean:

7.3e-05 g

Seed volume max:

0.059 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Piper umbellatum 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. BMC complementary and alternative medicine
2. Experimental parasitology

Chemicals

Piper umbellatum has 13 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 4-NC, 4-Nerolidylcatechol, Flavonoids, N-Benzoylmescaline, Peltatol A.

4-NC

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

4-Nerolidylcatechol

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Flavonoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

N-Benzoylmescaline

1. Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan

Peltatol A

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Saponins

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Steroids

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Sterols

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Tannins

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Terpenes

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Piper umbellatum has 9 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Analgesic, Antibacterial, Antimalarial, Antiparasitic.

Antioxidant

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Food chemistry
3. Experimental and toxicologic pathology : official journal of the Gesellschaft fur Toxikologische Pathologie

Analgesic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antibacterial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antimalarial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antiparasitic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antipyretic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cytotoxic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hepatoprotective

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Sedative

1. L'Encephale

Medicinal Uses

Piper umbellatum has 11 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include oxidative stress, burns, diarrhea, fever, hepatobiliary disorders.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations