Betel pepper
Piper betle

Family: Piperaceae

What it is like

A woody vine which attaches to trees by roots at the nodes on the main vine. The vegetative branches form roots at the nodes but the fruiting branches do not. The stems are 2.5-5 mm thick. The leaf stalk is 2-5 cm long. It has a fine powdery covering. The leaves can be 7-15 cm long and 5-11 cm wide. The leaves are papery or slightly leathery. The flowers are separately male and female. Male spikes are thinner and longer than female. The spikes droop. The fruit is composed of fused parts making a compound fruit.

There are between 1000-2000 Piper species. They are mostly in the tropics. It has 7.6 mg per 100 g dry weight and 4.3 mg fresh weight of alpha-tocopherol (Vitamin E).

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It occurs in the lowlands and up to about 700 m altitude. It needs a reasonably good rainfall. In the Cairns Botanical Gardens. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. At MARDI.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Andamans, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bougainville, Cambodia, China, Cuba, East Africa, East Timor, Fiji, Guam, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia (country/location of origin), Maldives, Mariana Islands, Micronesia, Myanmar, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, USA, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, West Timor, Yap

How it is used for food

It is used as a masticatory with betel nut. The leaves and /or fruit are used. Lime is added to make the mixture more alkaline so that the chemical constituents are activated. The fresh leaves are used to flavour Chinese dishes and soups.

A common and important condiment in the lowlands on Papua New Guinea and the SE Asian region. Leaves are sold in local markets. It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from cuttings of the main vine. It also grows wild. It needs stakes or a tree to climb. Fruiting branches can be increased by pruning.

Plants can last for 10-12 years.

Its other names

Local names

Akabui, Amasi katu, Fa qie wei niu, Gabuuy, Hirata, Igisi, Kata, Kebui, Kubaha, Kun, Kun-ywet-pin, Kura, Lou ye, Loupita, Manavasa, Mithi, Nagavalli, Nagurvel, Nup, Ofa, Ofa, Paan, Pan, Pan pata, Panpatta, Pathi, Pita, Plobo, Pupulu, Sanga, Sarapa, Sirih, Sla-tympew, Tamalapaku, Tambula, Tambuli, Trau khong, Vettila, Vettilai, Videchapana, Vilayadele, Vuvulu

Synonyms

Chavica betle Miq.;