| Classification |
| Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order Type: Basal Angiosperm-Dicots
Order: Piperales
Family: Piperaceae
Family Common Name: Pepper Family
Genera: Piper, Peperomia |
Defining Features: The family
has a unique inflorescence, which lacks a perianth and is composed of many
small flowers on a dense spike. The family also has scattered vascular
bundles as in monocots. There are ball shaped ethereal cells in the parenchyma
tissue. Some species of piper look very similar to Araceae.
Defining Morphology: Floral
Features: Flowers are bisexual or unisexual and reduced with a peltate
bract. Inflorescences are dense, fleshy spikes. Perianth is absent. Ovaries
are superior with basal placentation. Fruit and Seed Features: Dicotyledon.
Fruit is a fleshy drupe or berry. Seed is small with little endosperm.
Vegetative Features: Habit as herbs, shrubs, trees, vines or epiphytes.
Leaves are fleshy, simple and alternate, opposite or whorled and often
with swollen nodes. Leaves are often with cordate base. Stipules are adnate
to the petiole or lacking.
Distribution: Pan-tropical
and preferring shady and mesic habitats.
Economic Use: Source of pepper
and cultivated as ornamentals. Some species are being used medicinally.
Number of Genera Globally:
6
Number of Species Globally: 2,020
