Tasmannia xerophila
(P. Parm.) M. Gray
Alpine pepper
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(c) Wayne Martin, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Wayne Martin
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(c) Leon Perrie, some rights reserved (CC BY)
Summary
Source: WikipediaTasmannia xerophila, commonly known as alpine pepperbush, is a species of flowering plant in the family Winteraceae and is endemic to south-eastern continental Australia. It is a bushy shrub to small tree with lance-shaped leaves, the narrower end towards the base. Male and female flowers are borne on separate plants, the male flowers with 9 to 30 stamens and the female flowers with up to 8 carpels. The fruit is glossy black and contains 2 to 7 seeds.
Description
An evergreen shrub. It grows 1.5 m tall. The leaves are thick and broadly sword shaped. They are 1-6 cm long by 1 cm wide. They are green on both surfaces. The flowers are white to yellow and 1 cm across. The fruit are black berries up to 1 cm long.
Edible Uses
The leaves and seeds are used as a spice substitute for black pepper.
Traditional Uses
The leaves are used a as substitute for black pepper.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Distribution
It is a temperate plant. At Arboretum Tasmania.
Where It Grows
Australia*, Tasmania,
Synonyms
References (1)
- Codd, P., Payne, B. & Woolcock, C., 1998, The Plant Life of Kosciusko. Kangaroo Press. p 60
