Scientific Name
Other Names
Life Form
Synonyms
Family
Food - It is used as spices. Medicine - It is a versatile spice and a prominent herb in Ayurveda. Used throughout Ayurvedic medicine, it's known for its digestive benefits, promoting better assimilation and metabolism of food..
Bangladesh, China, India, Myanmar
Most deciduus to evergreen forests at altitudes of 200-1500 m asl.
Its black berries are similar to black pepper in taste. Was highly valued in ancient spice trade before black pepper became common.
Slender aromatic climber.
Creeping and jointed stems.
Leaves are numerous, 6.3 to 9.0 cm, broadly ovate or oblong-oval, dark green and shining above, pale and dull beneath. The older leaves are dentate, dark in color and heart shaped. The younger leaf is ovate in shape and contains 5 veins on them.
Flowers are monoceous and male and female flowers are borne on different plants.
Fruit is long. When it ripes it attains red color and when it dries it attains black color. It is one inch in diameter.
Flowering: July/Rainy Fruting: December