Piper hispidum
Content
Description
Shrub or subshrub, occasionally with scrambling branches, 2-3 m tall. Stem hirsute to glabrescent. Prophyll to 16 mm long, glabrous except pubescent on midvein. Petiole 0.5-1 cm long, hirsute; blade scabrous often on both surfaces, glandular-dotted, often greyish below, elliptic or elliptic-ovate, 11-23 x 4-11 cm, apex acuminate, base unequally attached to petiole difference 0.2-0.6 cm, obliquely rounded or cuneate with one side occasionally cordulate, lepidote-scabrid above, veins hirsute on both surfaces; pinnately veined, secondary veins 5-6 per side, originating from lower 1/2 of primary vein, tertiary veins transversely reticulate. Inflorescence erect; peduncle to 1 cm long, pubescent; spike 8-14 cm long, white, cream or pale green, not apiculate; floral bracts densely marginally fringed, 0.4-0.5 mm in diam., filaments with broadened connective and anthers dehiscing transversely (horizontally) apically. Infructescence grey or grey green; fruits oblongoid to rounded-trigonous, hirsute, stigmas 3, sessile.
Distribution
C and northern S America present, Southern America
West Indies, C and northern S America; over 220 collections studied (GU: 80; SU: 52; FG: 91).