The scientific name Piper and the common name “pepper” are derived from the Sanskrit term pippali, denoting the long pepper

The pepper plants or pepper vines (a term used for certain Clematis in older times), are an economically and ecologically important genus in the family Piperaceae.

It is an aromatic climber. Leaves are dark in colour, ovate or heart shaped, they are about 2 to 3 inches in length. The plant bears flowers during rainy season, male and female flowers both are borne on different plants. Fruits are ovoid in shape , orange and yellowish in colour, and they grow in early winters.

Moola (Root) and Fruits are generally used in traditional medicines. A lot of research has to be done on this plant.