Scientific Name: Piper hederaceum (was Piper novae-hollandiae)

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  • Pronunciation:
    PIPE-ah NO-vah hol-LAND-ee-aye
  • Common Name:
    Giant Pepper Vine
  • Type:
    Vine , Climber
  • Family:
    PIPERACEAE
  • Flowers:
    Creamy inconspicuous flowers.
  • Fruit:
    Edible with peppery seeds.
  • Vegetation Type:
    Rainforest,
  • Species List:
    Kennilworth Fig Tree Walk, Bush food, Bush medicine, FI Podberscek, NNP Palm Grove, Wooroi Day Use Area Tracks, Meridan College, NNP service road, Wooroi Palm Grove, BSDoonan, Fraser Island, Stratford Park, NNP Tanglewood, Upper Yandina Creek, Heritage Park
Cultural Notes

TAKE CARE! Some information about bush foods and medicines may be anecdotal. Correct identification and preparation is essential:

Bush Medicine: Active constituents were used successfully to treat gonorrhoea by early Qld. physician Dr. Bancvroft. Bush food: seeds ground and used as pepper. Fruit edible. Bush medicine: leaves chewed to relieve sore gums.

Identification Notes

Zig zag branchlets. Smooth dark leaves. Young plants have broad heart-shaped leaves. and stems with adhesive roots.

Associated Fauna

Bird attracting: Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove, Brown Cuckoo-Dove, Green Catbird and Figbird, pictured, all eat fruit.

Landscaping Notes

Landscaping potential in suitable areas. Indoors is a dense foliage plant. Vigorous root suckering climber for shaded position and adequate water. Scrambles over logs and banks and up trees. Shade, part shade. Indoor pot plant potential.||Successfully propagated by Barung Landcare||