ABSTRACT
Though black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) is the most important species in the genus Piper, there are a few others having great economic importance. They include the betel leaf (P. betle), long pepper (P. longum) Java long pepper (P. chaba= P. retrofractum), tailed pepper (P. cubeba) and Kava (P. methysticum). In addition some species are ornamental foliage plants. P. clusii is the West African pepper and is used as a spice by the local people. Ashanti or Benin pepper (P. guineense) is yet another species used by local tribes. P. hispidinervium, a native of Brazil, is a rich source of safrole.
