PIPERACEAE The Pepper Family |
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The Piperaceae is a tropical family of about 3000 species, most
of which belong to either the genus Piper (ca. 2000 species) or Peperomia
(ca. 1000 species). The genus Piper provides us with the spice black pepper, which is derived from the entire unripened fruit (peppercorn) of Piper nigrum. White pepper comes from the same species, but is processed by removing the exocarp and mesocarp from the ripened fruit. Kava, a narcotic beverage, is the national drink of the Polynesians, and betel nuts are likewise used as a narcotic in parts of Africa. Many species of Peperomia are grown as ornamentals for their foliage. |
Site created and maintained by Matthew Willmann and Melissa Luckow Cornell University, Ithaca, New York September 1998 |
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