Navigation path

Piper

Pest alert

If you have seen this plant

Call QPIF  13 25 23

Photograph of leaves of piper
Piper leaves

General information

Piper (Piper aduncum) is a Class 1 declared pest plant in Queensland.Class 1 pests established in Queensland are subject to eradication from the state. Landowners must take reasonable steps to keep land free of Class 1 pests.It is a serious offence to introduce, keep or supply a Class 1 pest without a permit issued by the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries. Penalties of up to $60,000 apply.

Native to South and Central America, piper is a fast-growing tropical shrub that has become a serious weed in New Guinea. It is overwhelmingly present in several countries.

Overview

Scientific name

Piper aduncum
Impacts
  • forms pure stands that exclude native vegetation
  • poisonous to cattle
Description
  • a shrub or small tree 1-6 m in height and up to 10 cm or more in stem diameter
  • has alternate leaves that have short petioles and elliptic to lanceolate blades 12-20 cm long
  • spikes contain minute flowers that develop into imbedded drupes with brown or black seeds
  • has a peppery taste and odour
Habitat and distribution
  • flowers and fruits throughout the year
  • affects Papua New Guinea and other Pacific and South-East Asian countries
  • while piper is not known to exist in Queensland, it has the potential to become a serious pest if introduced and planted
Declaration details
  • a declared Class 1 plant under the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002
  • importation, possession and sale is prohibited
  • landowners are required by law to keep their land free of this plant
Further information

Author: Sonia Jordan
Page maintained by Sonia Jordan
Last updated 11 September 2007
URL: http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/cps/rde/xchg/dpi/hs.xsl/cps/rde/dpi/hs.xsl/4790_7340_ENA_HTML.htm

© The State of Queensland, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries 1995 - 2009.
Copyright protects this material. Except as permitted by the Copyright Act, reproduction by any means (photocopying, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise), making available online, electronic transmission or other publication of this material is prohibited without the prior written permission of The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Queensland. Inquiries should be addressed to copyright@dpi.qld.gov.au (Queensland residents phone 13 25 23; non-Queensland residents phone 61 7 3404 6999).