Piper auritum (Piper Species, Hoja Santa, Mexican Pepperleaf, Root Beer Plant, Eared pepper.)
Botanical Information
| Family | Piperaceae |
| Genus | Piper |
| Species | auritum |
| Synonyms | Piper alstonii, Piper auritilaminum, Piper auritilimbum |
| Category | Perennials, Tropicals |
| Type | Shrub (evergreen) |
| Origin | Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Panama. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses Disclaimer | The plant that produces black peppercorns whose uses include green moles, wraps for tamales and fish, and flavouring soups and rice. Also used in cocktails and appetizers. |
Details
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 8a - 11 |
| USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone | 9 |
| Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
| RHS Hardiness Zone | H1c - H5 |
| RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
| Temperature (°C) | -12.2 - 4.5 |
| Temperature (°F) | 10 - 40 |
| Height | 1.2 - 1.8 m |
| Spread | 1.2 - 1.8 m |
| Flowering Period | June, July, August |
Description and Growing Information
| General Description | Shrubby perennial and is easily identified by its huge leaves. Grows best in part shade or full shade. |
| Propagation | By root division or separation of plantlets as they grow up from the soil. |
| Notable Specimens | Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales, Florida, United States of America. |
| Habitat | Humid forests, and in open areas from the sea level up to about 1500 m of altitude. |
| Bark/Stem Description | Vertical, rough textured stems. |
| Leaf Description | Pale green leaves with up to 30 cm long petiole wing-end alternate, ovate, oblong, with suddenly pointed apex, and finely pubescent, soft and aromatic. |
Photographs
Piper auritum, form. Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales, Florida, United States of America.
Piper auritum, leaf. Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales, Florida, United States of America.