Java pepper
Piper caninum

Family: Piperaceae

What it is like

A slender climbing plant. Both the twigs and leaf stalks have scattered hairs. The leaf blade is oval and 14 cm long by 7 cm wide. Male and female flowers are separate. The female flowering organ is as long as the leaves. The male flowering shoots are longer. The fruiting body is longer than the leaves. The fruit is a berry and is round. They are 4 mm long by 3 mm wide and red.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in mixed forests. It occurs in the lowlands.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Solomon Islands, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The fruit is used as a flavouring. The leaves are chewed with betel nut.

Edible parts

Fruit, spice, leaves - chewed

How it is grown

PROSEA handbook Volume 13 Spices. p 260

Its other names

Local names

Buyo-buyo, Chambai, Detid, Lada hantu, Mrican, Sireh hutan, Sireh pacat, Tampadan, Ti(ee)u ch(os)

Synonyms

Piper banksii Miquel; Piper lauterbachii C.DC.; Piper macrocarpum C. DC.;