Piper umbellatum, commonly known as cow-foot leaf, is a species of pepper plant native to the Americas, including Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and tropical regions of South America. It has been widely naturalized in other tropical regions of the world.
| Piper umbellatum | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Magnoliids |
| Order: | Piperales |
| Family: | Piperaceae |
| Genus: | Piper |
| Species: | P. umbellatum
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| Binomial name | |
| Piper umbellatum L.
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| Synonyms[1] | |
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Names
editPiper umbellatum is also known by a wide variety of local names, including pariparóba or caapéba in Brazil;[2] acoyo, cordoncillo, or hierba santa in Spanish-speaking Latin America; kubamba (also kamamba or camamba) in the Philippines; gandamarom or attanari in India; lemba or lomba in Malaysia; and bumbu in Indonesia; among other names.[3]
Description and habit
editPiper umbellatum is an herbaceous or woody shrub, reaching a height of 0.9 to 4 m (3.0 to 13.1 ft) tall. It has large heart-shaped leaves. The flower spikes are white to yellow in color. The fruits are brownish and shaped like an inverted pyramid. They grow in the undergrowth of evergreen forests, swamp forests, and along riverbanks.[4][5]
Uses
editParts of the plant is edible, commonly the young leaves and flowers are eaten steamed as a vegetable. The fruit can be eaten when ripe, and the bark can be used as a condiment.[5] In the Philippines, where the plant has been introduced, it is used to wrap a steamed shrimp and grated coconut dish known as pinais.[6]
The plant that has been traditionally used in folk remedies for digestive and liver-related maladies. In 2002, a research group based at the Tokyo Medical and Dental University[7] discovered antibacterial properties of the plant specific to Helicobacter pylori. Two years later in laboratory testing at the Pharmaceutical Sciences College (FCF) of the University of São Paulo, molecules found within the plant were demonstrated to have UVB-protective properties. For its medicinal and cosmetic promise, the Brazilian pharmaceutical company Natura obtained exclusive marketing rights to products developed from the plant.[8]
References
edit- ^ "Piper umbellatum". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 9 April 2017.
- ^ Kidder, Daniel Parish (1845). Sketches of Residence and Travels in Brazil, Etc. p. 346.
- ^ "Kubamba". Philippine Medicinal Plants. StuartXChange. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
- ^ "Piper umbellatum". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
- ^ a b Fern, Ken. "Piper umbellatum". Useful Tropical Plants. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
- ^ Zulueta, Dolly Dy (9 December 2023). "Recipe: Quezon's special dish 'Pinais'". PhilStar Global. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
- ^ Antibacterial Constituents against Helicobacter pylori of Brazilian Medicinal Plant, Pariparoba. Takahiko ISOBE, Ayumi OHSAKI and Kumiko NAGATA YAKUGAKU_ZASSHI vol: 122 issue: 4 page: 291-294 year: 2002 http://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/yakushi/122/4/122_291/_article/-char/en viewed 29 May 2007
- ^ Protection for the skin, Extract from the Pariparoba exercises antioxidant action against the sun and should reach the market shortly, Dinorah Ereno Revista Pesquisa Fapesp, Print Edition November 2004, https://revistapesquisa.fapesp.br/en/2004/11/01/protection-for-the-skin/ viewed 31 Jul 2019