Scientific Name: Piper hederaceum var. hederaceum

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  • Pronunciation:
    PIPE-ah hed-er-AY-see-um
  • Common Name:
    Giant Pepper Vine
  • Derivation:
    was Piper novae-hollandiae
  • Type:
    Vine
  • Family:
    PIPERACEAE
  • Flowers:
    Creamy inconspicuous flowers on spikes.
  • Fruit:
    Clustered red fruit to 8mm
  • 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

Large, vigorous vine with adhesive/adventitious roots which cling to trees. Zig zag branchlets. Young plants have broad heart-shaped leaves.

Associated Fauna

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

Landscaping Notes

Great trailing plant for a large hanging basket. Indoors is a trailing foliage plant. Vigorous root suckering climber for shaded position and adequate water. Scrambles over logs and banks and up trees. Shade, part shade.