Piperaceae

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Lepianthes (Pothomorphe)	Piper
Peperomia	Macropiper

Genera : 10 +/-

Species: 1500 - 2000

Distribution: Pantropical and preferring shady and mesic habitats.

Economic Uses: Source of pepper and cultivated as an ornamental.

Defining Features of Interest: The family has an 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. The genus Peperomia is sometimes separated as the family Peperomiaceae.

Fossil Evidence: No known fossil record.

Defining Morphology

Floral Features : Perfect (as shown in floral formula) or unisexual and reduced with a peltate bract. Inflorescence as a dense, fleshy spike. Perianth is absent.

Fruit and Seed Features : Fruit is a fleshy drupe. Seed is small with little endosperm. Placentation is basal.

Vegetative Features : Habit is as herbs, shrubs, trees, vines or epiphytes. Leaves simple and alternate or opposite or whorled. Stipules are adnate to the petiole or lacking.