False-nettle leaved pepper
Piper boehmeriifolium

Family: Piperaceae

What it is like

A small shrub. It grows 1-3 m tall. The leaves are narrowly oval and 11-24 cm long by 4-10 cm wide. Plants are separately male and female. The flower spikes are opposite the leaves or near the ends in male plants. The male spikes are 10-16 cm long by 2-3 mm wide. The female spikes are 6-12 cm long.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. In Sikkim it grows in forests between 500-2,200 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, Indochina, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Sikkim, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The leaves are eaten raw or cooked.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Chavya, Gajapippali, Jungali pan, Jungle paan

Synonyms

Clavica boehmeriifolium Miq.;