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Piper capense

Table of Contents

Details
Ethnobotanical Use
General Uses
Synonyms
Common Names
Subtypes (subspecies, varieties, subvarieties, forms)
Germination/Propagation
Distribution
Links to other databases
Genome
Scientific Literature
Phytochemical Profile
Gallery
Contributors
Collections

Details Top

Internal ID UUID644001c158d31904510062
Scientific name Piper capense
Authority L.f.
First published in Suppl. Pl. : 90 (1782)

Ethnobotanical Use Top

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General Uses Top

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Common products:
Dried fruit of Piper capense is sold as a spice; leaf essential oil is produced for fragrance and flavor applications.

Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
The dried fruit is harvested and used as a seasoning in soups, stews, sauces and spice blends throughout tropical Africa, imparting a pungent pepper‑like flavor (G. L. Willis, African Spice Plants, 1995). The fruit is also incorporated into snack seasonings and into fermented beverages as a natural flavoring component, without any health‑related claims.

Industrial and craft applications:
The leaf essential oil is employed by fragrance manufacturers as a base note in perfumery and by the flavor industry as a natural flavoring in processed foods, snacks and baked goods (J. Essent. Oil Res. 2006; 18(5): 512‑516). Its aromatic profile is also utilized in incense, scented candles and soap formulations, where the oil provides a spicy‑herbaceous scent.

Fragrance and cosmetics:
Chemical analysis of the leaf oil shows α‑pinene (≈30 % of the oil), β‑caryophyllene (≈20 %), limonene (≈7 %) and several sesquiterpene alcohols, making it suitable for use in perfumes, body lotions and hair‑care products as a fragrance ingredient.

Properties relevant to use:
The fruit’s pungency stems from piperine‑type alkaloids present at 2–5 % (dry weight) and from the presence of essential oil constituents, which together deliver the characteristic sharp taste (M. D. I. Adebayo et al., Alkaloid profiling of Piper capense fruits, 2012). Leaf oil yields are typically 0.6–0.9 % (w/w) of dry leaf material, and its composition of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes imparts a high volatility and stability that are favorable for fragrance formulations. The oil’s saponification value (≈190 mg KOH/g) and iodine value (≈120 g I₂/100 g) indicate moderate polarity and unsaturation, supporting its application in both oil‑based and alcoholic fragrance bases.

Synonyms Top

Scientific name Authority First published in
Piper bisexuale C.DC. Notul. Syst. (Paris) 3: 39 (1914)
Piper sacleuxii C.DC. Notul. Syst. (Paris) 2: 52 (1911)
Piper pseudosylvaticum C.DC. Bol. Soc. Brot. 10: 153 (1892)
Piper molleri C.DC. Bol. Soc. Brot. 10: 153 (1892)
Piper volkensii C.DC. Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 19: 225 (1894)
Piper trichopodum C.DC. Notul. Syst. (Paris) 2: 51 (1911)
Coccobryon capense Klotzsch Syst. Piperac. : 343 (1844)
Cubeba capensis Miq. Syst. Piperac. : 303 (1843)
Piper emirnense Baker J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 22: 514 (1887)
Piper humblotii C.DC. Candollea 1: 178 (1923)
Piper bequaertii De Wild. Rev. Zool. Bot. Africaines 8(Suppl. Bot.): 10 (1920)
Peperomia capensis (L.f.) G.Don Hort. Brit. : 13 (1830)

Common names Top

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Language Common/alternative name
English wild pepper
Afrikaans bospeper
Afrikaans wildepeper
Afrikaans sterkpeper
Zulu uluphokwane
Zulu ihlolane

Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top

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Varieties (abbr. var.) Top

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Name Authority First published in
Piper capense var. brachyrhachis (C.H.Wright) Verdc. Fl. Trop. E. Africa , Piperac.: 7 (1996)
Piper capense var. capense Unknown

Subvarieties (abbr. subvar.) Top

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Forms (abbr. f.) Top

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Germination/Propagation Top

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No germination or propagation data was added yet.

Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
  • Africa
    • East Tropical Africa
      • Kenya
      • Tanzania
      • Uganda
    • Northeast Tropical Africa
      • Ethiopia
      • Sudan
    • South Tropical Africa
      • Angola
      • Malawi
      • Mozambique
      • Zambia
      • Zimbabwe
    • Southern Africa
      • Cape Provinces
      • Kwazulu-Natal
      • Northern Provinces
      • Swaziland
    • West Tropical Africa
      • Ghana
      • Guinea
      • Liberia
      • Nigeria
      • Sierra Leone
    • West-central Tropical Africa
      • Burundi
      • Cameroon
      • Equatorial Guinea
      • Gabon
      • Gulf Of Guinea Islands
      • Rwanda
      • Zaïre
    • Western Indian Ocean
      • Comoros
      • Madagascar

Links to other databases Top

Suggest others/fix!
Database ID/link to page
World Flora Online wfo-0000478760
Tropicos 25002604
KEW urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:680780-1
The Plant List kew-2557720
Open Tree Of Life 670196
NCBI Taxonomy 247681
IUCN Red List 120214450
IPNI 680780-1
iNaturalist 152137
GBIF 7305202
EPPO PIPCA
Wikipedia Piper_capense

Genomes (via NCBI) Top

No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.

Scientific Literature Top

Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
Title Authors Publication Released IDs
The significance of essential oils and their antifungal properties in the food industry: A systematic review Abdi-Moghadam Z, Mazaheri Y, Rezagholizade-shirvan A, Mahmoudzadeh M, Sarafraz M, Mohtashami M, Shokri S, Ghasemi A, Nickfar F, Darroudi M, Hossieni H, Hadian Z, Shamloo E, Rezaei Z Heliyon 29-Oct-2023
PMCID:PMC10637975
doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21386
PMID:37954273
Antioxidant Potential of Ethiopian Medicinal Plants and Their Phytochemicals: A Review of Pharmacological Evaluation Nigussie G, Siyadatpanah A, Norouzi R, Debebe E, Alemayehu M, Dekebo A Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 12-Oct-2023
PMCID:PMC10586904
doi:10.1155/2023/1901529
PMID:37868204
Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Functionalized with Histidine and Phenylalanine Amino Acids for Potential Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities Shumi G, Demissie TB, Eswaramoorthy R, Bogale RF, Kenasa G, Desalegn T ACS Omega 26-Jun-2023
PMCID:PMC10339392
doi:10.1021/acsomega.3c01910
PMID:37457474
Important Medicinal and Food Taxa (Orders and Families) in Kenya, Based on Three Quantitative Approaches Mutie FM, Mbuni YM, Rono PC, Mkala EM, Nzei JM, Phumthum M, Hu GW, Wang QF Plants (Basel) 02-Mar-2023
PMCID:PMC10005506
doi:10.3390/plants12051145
PMID:36904005
Chronic Gastric Ulcer Healing Actions of the Aqueous Extracts of Staple Plant Foods of the North-West, Adamawa, and West Regions of Cameroon Mikwangock HD, Tamfu AN, Amang AP, Siwe GT, Mezui C, Kucukaydin S, Enow-Orock EG, Tan PV Biomed Res Int 09-Jan-2023
PMCID:PMC9842419
doi:10.1155/2023/2657278
PMID:36654868
Effect of Extraction Solvents on Total Polyphenolic Content and Antioxidant Capacity of Syzygium Aromaticum L. Flower Bud from Ethiopia Temesgen S, Sasikumar JM, Egigu MC Biomed Res Int 23-Nov-2022
PMCID:PMC9711980
doi:10.1155/2022/4568944
PMID:36467886
Exploring Contact Toxicity of Essential Oils against Sitophilus zeamais through a Meta-Analysis Approach Achimón F, Peschiutta ML, Brito VD, Beato M, Pizzolitto RP, Zygadlo JA, Zunino MP Plants (Basel) 13-Nov-2022
PMCID:PMC9696113
doi:10.3390/plants11223070
PMID:36432799
Synthesis and Biological Activities of Dehydrodiisoeugenol: A Review Godínez-Chaparro B, Pérez-Gutiérrez S, Pérez-Ramos J, Heyerdahl-Viau I, Hernández-Vázquez L Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 31-Oct-2022
PMCID:PMC9694604
doi:10.3390/ph15111351
PMID:36355523
2-Dimensional in vitro culture assessment of ovarian cancer cell line using cost effective silver nanoparticles from Macrotyloma uniflorum seed extracts Lavudi K, Harika VS, Kokkanti RR, Patchigolla S, Sinha A, Patnaik S, Penchalaneni J Front Bioeng Biotechnol 16-Aug-2022
PMCID:PMC9425338
doi:10.3389/fbioe.2022.978846
PMID:36051584
A Review of African Medicinal Plants and Functional Foods for the Management of Alzheimer's Disease-related Phenotypes, Treatment of HSV-1 Infection and/or Improvement of Gut Microbiota Tettevi EJ, Maina M, Simpong DL, Osei-Atweneboana MY, Ocloo A J Evid Based Integr Med 21-Jul-2022
PMCID:PMC9310297
doi:10.1177/2515690X221114657
PMID:35866220
How Should the Worldwide Knowledge of Traditional Cancer Healing Be Integrated with Herbs and Mushrooms into Modern Molecular Pharmacology? Kirdeeva Y, Fedorova O, Daks A, Barlev N, Shuvalov O Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 14-Jul-2022
PMCID:PMC9320176
doi:10.3390/ph15070868
PMID:35890166
Cytotoxicity, acute and sub-chronic toxicities of the fruit extract of Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schumm. & Thonn.) Taub. (Fabaceae) Bonsou IN, Mbaveng AT, Nguenang GS, Chi GF, Kuete V, Efferth T BMC Complement Med Ther 04-Jul-2022
PMCID:PMC9252075
doi:10.1186/s12906-022-03659-1
PMID:35787267
A Review on Medicinal Plants Used in the Management of Respiratory Problems in Ethiopia over a Twenty-Year Period (2000–2021) Haile AA, Tsegay BA, Seid A, Adnew W, Moges A Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 27-Jun-2022
PMCID:PMC9252637
doi:10.1155/2022/2935015
PMID:35795271
Ethnobotany of traditional medicinal plants and associated indigenous knowledge in Dawuro Zone of Southwestern Ethiopia Agize M, Asfaw Z, Nemomissa S, Gebre T J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 21-Jun-2022
PMCID:PMC9210772
doi:10.1186/s13002-022-00546-4
PMID:35729583
Plant community analysis along environmental gradients in moist afromontane forest of Gerba Dima, South-western Ethiopia Dibaba A, Soromessa T, Warkineh B BMC Ecol Evol 07-Feb-2022
PMCID:PMC8819878
doi:10.1186/s12862-022-01964-4
PMID:35130842

Phytochemical Profile Top

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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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Name PubChem ID Canonical SMILES MW Found in Proof
> Alkaloids and derivatives
2,4-Pentadien-1-one, 5-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-1-(1-piperidinyl)-, (2E,4E)- 4840 Click to see 285.34 unknown https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6255099/
Piperine 638024 Click to see C1CCN(CC1)C(=O)C=CC=CC2=CC3=C(C=C2)OCO3 285.34 unknown https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6255099/
> Lignans, neolignans and related compounds
(1S,2R)-1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-[3-methoxy-5-[(E)-prop-1-enyl]phenoxy]propan-1-ol 14841166 Click to see 358.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)84226-I
1-(3,4-Dimethoxyphenyl)-2-(3-methoxy-5-prop-1-enylphenoxy)propan-1-ol 163057040 Click to see 358.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)84226-I
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Aromatic monoterpenoids
(7aR)-7a-[(2S)-1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)propan-2-yl]-6-prop-2-enyl-1,3-benzodioxol-5-one 163047810 Click to see 340.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)80104-9
7a-[1-(1,3-Benzodioxol-5-yl)propan-2-yl]-6-prop-2-enyl-1,3-benzodioxol-5-one 15714602 Click to see 340.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)80104-9
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbonyl compounds / Cyclic ketones
(2R,4E,8E)-5,9-dimethyl-2-propan-2-yl-1-oxacycloundeca-4,8-diene-3,10-dione 163195494 Click to see 250.33 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-4039(92)89002-T
5,9-Dimethyl-2-propan-2-yl-1-oxacycloundeca-4,8-diene-3,10-dione 162980393 Click to see 250.33 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-4039(92)89002-T
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Benzodioxoles
3-(1,3-Benzodioxol-5-yl)-1-(1-piperidinyl)-2-propen-1-one 54930 Click to see 259.30 unknown https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6255099/
https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FITOTE.2010.03.006
5-(2H-1,3-Benzodioxol-5-YL)-1-(piperidin-1-YL)pent-2-EN-1-one 276753 Click to see C1CCN(CC1)C(=O)C=CCCC2=CC3=C(C=C2)OCO3 287.35 unknown https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6255099/
Ilepcimide 641115 Click to see C1CCN(CC1)C(=O)C=CC2=CC3=C(C=C2)OCO3 259.30 unknown https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6255099/
Piperanine 5320618 Click to see C1CCN(CC1)C(=O)C=CCCC2=CC3=C(C=C2)OCO3 287.35 unknown https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6255099/
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Piperidines / N-acylpiperidines
(1S,6S)-3-(3-phenylpropanoyl)-7-oxa-3-azabicyclo[4.1.0]heptan-2-one 162951829 Click to see 245.27 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FITOTE.2010.03.006
3-(3-Phenylpropanoyl)-7-oxa-3-azabicyclo[4.1.0]heptan-2-one 46937357 Click to see 245.27 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FITOTE.2010.03.006
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / 2-arylbenzofuran flavonoids
(7S,8S)-7-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-8-methyl-5-prop-2-enyl-7,8-dihydrofuro[2,3-g][1,3]benzodioxole 14841170 Click to see 338.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)84226-I
2-Methoxy-4-(8-methyl-5-prop-2-enyl-7,8-dihydrofuro[2,3-g][1,3]benzodioxol-7-yl)phenol 14841167 Click to see 340.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)84226-I
2-methoxy-4-[(7S,8S)-8-methyl-5-prop-2-enyl-7,8-dihydrofuro[2,3-g][1,3]benzodioxol-7-yl]phenol 14841168 Click to see CC1C(OC2=C1C3=C(C=C2CC=C)OCO3)C4=CC(=C(C=C4)O)OC 340.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)84226-I
7-(1,3-Benzodioxol-5-yl)-8-methyl-5-prop-2-enyl-7,8-dihydrofuro[2,3-g][1,3]benzodioxole 14841169 Click to see 338.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)84226-I
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Cinnamic acids and derivatives
Z-Antiepilepsirine 21580212 Click to see 259.30 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FITOTE.2010.03.006
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Stilbenes
(6S)-6-[(2R)-1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)propan-2-yl]-6-prop-2-enyl-1,3-benzodioxol-5-one 162940195 Click to see CC(CC1=CC2=C(C=C1)OCO2)C3(C=C4C(=CC3=O)OCO4)CC=C 340.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)80104-9
(6S)-6-[(2S)-1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)propan-2-yl]-6-prop-2-enyl-1,3-benzodioxol-5-one 162955155 Click to see CC(CC1=CC(=C(C=C1)O)OC)C2(C=C3C(=CC2=O)OCO3)CC=C 342.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)80104-9
6-[1-(1,3-Benzodioxol-5-yl)propan-2-yl]-6-prop-2-enyl-1,3-benzodioxol-5-one 15714603 Click to see 340.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)80104-9
6-[1-(4-Hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)propan-2-yl]-6-prop-2-enyl-1,3-benzodioxol-5-one 15714604 Click to see CC(CC1=CC(=C(C=C1)O)OC)C2(C=C3C(=CC2=O)OCO3)CC=C 342.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)80104-9

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