Xylopia sericea

Family: Annonaceae

What it is like

A medium-sized tree. The branches are horizontal. The larger trees can have buttresses. The leaves are narrow and pointed. They have long white hairs underneath.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in wet lowland regions. It can be in forests. In Colombia it grows between 50-250 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Bolivia, Brazil, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Nicaragua, Panama, South America, Suriname, Venezuela

How it is used for food

The seeds are a black pepper substitute.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds - spice

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Aponoto-yek, Dririn yo, Embireira, Espintana, Inicha, Pau-de-anzol, Pau-de-embira, Pimenta-da-terra, Pimenta-de-macaco, Pimenta-do-sertao, Pindaiba, Pindaiba-preta

Synonyms

Mayna sericea Spreng.; Unona carminativa Arruda; Uvaria fluminensis Vell.; Xylopia carminativa (Arruda) R.E.Fr.; Xylopia intermedia R.E.Fr.; Xylopicrum carminativum (Arruda) Kuntze;