Piper arboreum
Aubl.
Tree like pepper
(c) João Arthur Rabello, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by João Arthur Rabello
(c) Liu Idárraga Orozco, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
What to Eat
Edible parts: Leaves - medicine, Fruit
The leaves are used medicinally, and the fruit is eaten.
Where to Find It
It is a tropical plant.
Africa, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Central America, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico*, North America, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, South America*, Suriname, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, West Indies*,
How to Identify
A tropical tree in the pepper family (Piperaceae) with edible leaves and fruit.
How to Grow
Grows best in a shady position. An aromatic plant.
Medicinal Uses
The leaf is taken as a remedy after overeating, and the powdered leaf is added to food following cases of stomach poisoning. A decoction or cold water infusion of the leaves is used as a treatment for body aches and fevers. The leaves are warmed and used as a poultice around joints to relieve arthritic pains and topically around affected area as a treatment for aches, pains and strains. The macerated leaves and stems are used as an anti-venom.
Names & Synonyms
Cordoncillo
References (3)
- Grandtner, M. M., 2008, World Dictionary of Trees. Wood and Forest Science Department. Laval University, Quebec, Qc Canada. (Internet database http://www.wdt.qc.ca)
- Grandtner, M. M. & Chevrette, J., 2013, Dictionary of Trees, Volume 2: South America: Nomenclature, Taxonomy and Ecology. Academic Press p 501
- Torre, de la, L., et al, 2008, Enciclopedia de las Plantas Útiles del Ecuador. Herbario QCA. Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador. p 497
