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Perennials, Tropicals > Piper > Piper auritum > Piper auritum

Piper auritum


Piper Species, Hoja Santa, Mexican Pepperleaf, Root Beer Plant, Eared pepper.




Origin:  Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Panama.
Family
Piperaceae
Genus
Piper
Species
auritum
Category
Perennials, Tropicals
Type
Shrub (evergreen)
Synonyms
Piper alstonii, Piper auritilaminum, Piper auritilimbum
USDA Hardiness Zone
8a - 11
Canadian Hardiness Zone
9
RHS Hardiness Zone
H1c - H5
Temperature (°C)
-12.2 - 4.5
Temperature (°F)
10 - 40
Height
1.2 - 1.8 m
Spread
1.2 - 1.8 m
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
JuneJulyAugust
General Description
Shrubby perennial and is easily identified by its huge leaves. Grows best in part shade or full shade.
Habitat
Humid forests, and in open areas from the sea level up to about 1500 m of altitude.
Bark/Stem Description
Vertical, rough textured stems.
Leaf Description
Pale green leaves with up to 30 cm long petiole wing-end alternate, ovate, oblong, with suddenly pointed apex, and finely pubescent, soft and aromatic.
Notable Specimens
Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales, Florida, United States of America.
Propagation
By root division or separation of plantlets as they grow up from the soil.
Ethnobotanical Uses (Disclaimer)
The plant that produces black peppercorns whose uses include green moles, wraps for tamales and fish, and flavouring soups and rice. Also used in cocktails and appetizers.
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