Piper retrofractum
Vahl
Javanese long pepper
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Summary
Source: WikipediaPiper retrofractum, the Balinese long pepper or Javanese long pepper, is a flowering vine in the family Piperaceae, cultivated for its fruit, which is usually dried and used as a spice and seasoning. This species is native to Java island in Indonesia.
Description
A climbing shrub. It grows 5-10 m tall. The stem is 3-4 mm across. The leaves are sword shaped and taper to the tip and are unequal at the base. They are 10-12 cm long by 3-4 cm wide. Male and female flowers are on separate plants. Female spikes are 4 cm long while male spikes are 5 cm long. The fruit are oval berries. The spikes are red. Possibly now Piper chaba
Edible Uses
Seeds - used as a spice. Used for green peppercorn spice. Used as a seasoning in curries, preserves and pickles. More pungent than Piper nigrum, but also sweeter.
Traditional Uses
The fruit can be used as a spice. They are dried and then added whole to curries and pickles.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
Used as a medicine in Indonesia.
Distribution
A tropical plant. It grows on dry soils. It grows in deciduous forests on poor soils up to 600 m above sea level.
Where It Grows
Asia, Cambodia, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam,
Cultivation
Plants can be grown from cuttings. Plants are pruned to make them flower.
Other Uses
The wood and root are the source of a dye - it is pale brown if used alone on cotton, but mixed with bakam (Caesalpinia sappan), it gives a brownish-red.
Other Information
It is a cultivated plant.
Notes
Used as a medicine in Indonesia. There are between 1000-2000 Piper species. They are mostly in the tropics.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Bi ba, Cabe jawa, Cabe rambat, Chab, Chabe alas, Chabe sula, Chabean, Chai, Chavala, Chavi, Choi, Dei plei, Di pli, Gachha, Lada panjang, Seu kaa meu, Tieu doi
References (22)
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- Enum. pl. 1:314. 1804
- Hedrick, U.P., 1919, (Ed.), Sturtevant's edible plants of the world. p 499 (As Piper chaba)
Show all 22 references Hide references
- Hemphill, I, 2002, Spice Notes. Macmillan. p 299
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- Maisuthisakul, P., 2012, Phenolic Constituents and Antioxidant Properties of some Thai Plants. Chp. 9 in Book Phytochemicals - A Global Perspective of Their Role in Nutrition and Health
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- Pham-Hoang Ho, 1999, An Illustrated Flora of Vietnam. Nha Xuat Ban Tre. p 300
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- Sukenti, K., et al, 2016, Ethnobotanical study on local cuisine of the Sasak tribe in Lombok Island, Indonesia. Journal of Ethnic Foods. 3 (2016) 189-200 p 198
- Tanaka, Y. & Van Ke, N., 2007, Edible Wild Plants of Vietnam. Orchid Press. p 113
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- Wiersema, J. H. & Leon, B., 2013, World Economic Plants. A Standard Reference CRC Press. 2nd Ed. p 535
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- World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
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