Piperaceae FAMILY
Piper sanctum
Piper sanctum
Edibility
2/5
Medicinal
2/5
Safety & Hazards
None known
Botanical Description
Piper sanctum is a rather sparsely branched evergreen shrub or small tree growing from 1.5 - 4 metres tall, with occasional specimens up to 6 metres[ 331 Title Flora of Guatemala Publication Author Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark Website http://www.archive.org/ Publisher Year 1946 - 1976 ISBN Description A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/ ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a condiment and medicinal plant.
Habitat & Origin
Origintropical
Native RangeCentral America - Costa Rica to Mexico.
HabitatMoist or wet to rather dry forest or sometimes on brushy hillsides, at elevations up to 1,650 metres, most commonly below 900 meters[ 331 Title Flora of Guatemala Publication Author Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark Website http://www.archive.org/ Publisher Year 1946 - 1976 ISBN Description A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/ ]. Wet forest, river banks, disturbed ground; at elevations from near sea level up to 2,500 metres.