Piper wallichii

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Piper wallichii var. hupeense
• Chavica chuvya
• Chavica wallichii var. glabra
• Piper aurantiacum var. glabrum
• Piper aurantiacum var. hupeense
• Piper martinii
• Piper caudilimbum
• Piper ichangense
• Piper emeiense
• Piper henryei
• Piper flaviflorum
• Piper accrescens
• Chavica wallichii

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Piperales, falling into the family Piperaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by the genus Piper, specifically as the species Piper wallichii.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several key regions in Asia. Within China, it can be found spanning the South-Central, North-Central, and Southeast territories. Its range extends into the Indian Subcontinent, where it is specifically documented in the state of Assam. Furthermore, the species is also widely distributed throughout Bangladesh. Collectively, these locations highlight the diverse habitats where the plant thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Piper wallichii is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution that allows it to inhabit a diverse range of montane environments. This species is found across a significant elevational gradient, with its presence recorded from a minimum altitude of 310 m AMSL to a maximum peak of 3200 m AMSL. The mean elevation for the species is approximately 1312.5 m AMSL, suggesting that while it possesses the ecological plasticity to survive in both lower subtropical foothills and higher temperate zones, it most frequently thrives within middle-elevation montane ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

3200 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1312.5 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

310 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Piper wallichii is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and establish a stable presence in its natural habitat. Throughout its lifespan, the plant maintains an evergreen habit, ensuring that it retains its foliage and continues photosynthetic activity regardless of seasonal shifts.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Piper wallichii is characterized by its growth habit as a vigorous climber, specifically functioning as a liana or a climbing vine that often requires external support to ascend. The structural integrity of the plant is defined by its woody nature, possessing a woody stem that provides the necessary strength for its sprawling or climbing development. This combination of a climbing life form and a woody constitution allows the plant to navigate through surrounding vegetation, utilizing its robust, lignified tissues to maintain stability as it extends its reach.

Climber :

liana

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Piper wallichii is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation process and metabolic efficiency within its environmental niche. Morphologically, the plant exhibits specific vegetative traits, featuring ovate leaf forms that lack any defensive structures such as leaf thorns or leaf spines. Furthermore, the leaf margins are entire, contributing to its distinct structural profile.

Leaf form :

ovate

Leaf margin :

entire

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf thorns :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Piper wallichii 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 stem.

Stem

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Piper wallichii has 13 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (-)-syringaresinol, 3,4-methylenedioxy-benzoic acid, 4-Hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxy-benzoic acid, Aristolactam A II, Cepharanone B.

(-)-syringaresinol

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

3,4-methylenedioxy-benzoic acid

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

4-Hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxy-benzoic acid

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Aristolactam A II

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Cepharanone B

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Dihydropiperlonguminine

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Futoamide

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Futoenone

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Futoquinol

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

N-P-Coumaroyltyramine

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Conditions

Piper wallichii has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cerebral infarction, obesity, rheumatoid arthritis.

Cerebral infarction

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Obesity

1. Journal of chromatography. A

Rheumatoid arthritis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Piper wallichii has 1 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include methanolic extract of the air-dried stems of Piper wallichii.

Methanolic extract of the air-dried stems of piper wallichii

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology