The black pepper plant, scientifically known as Piper nigrum, is a climbing, perennial vine that can grow up to 10 meters tall in its natural habitat. It features heart-shaped, glossy green leaves and small, white, or pale green flowers that grow in clusters on spikes. The plant is cultivated for its fruit, the peppercorn, which is dried and used as a spice.
Here's a more detailed description:
Growth Habit: The black pepper plant is a vine that climbs using aerial roots to attach to supports. It can grow as a bush or as a vine, depending on how it's trained.
Leaves: The leaves are heart-shaped, pointed, and dark green with prominent veins. They are typically 13-25 cm long and remain on the vine throughout the year.
Flowers: The flowers are small, white or pale green, and grow in dense, pendant spikes (also called racemes). Each spike can contain 50-150 flowers.
Fruits (Peppercorns): The flowers develop into small, round fruits called drupes, which are green when unripe, turning yellow-red when ripe. These fruits, when dried, are the black peppercorns we use as a spice.
Cultivation: Black pepper is native to the Malabar Coast of India but is now cultivated in many tropical regions, including Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brazil. It requires a humid, tropical climate with high rainfall.
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