Introduction
Pippali, commonly known as Long Pepper, is a climbing vine that either grows upward by using surrounding trees and shrubs for support or spreads along the ground.
Leaves
The leaves resemble those of the betel plant but are smaller. They are kidney-shaped and measure approximately 2.5–3 inches (6.4–7.6 cm) in length and 1.5–2 inches (3.8–5.1 cm) in width.
The leaves are smooth, pointed, and have five to six prominent veins on the underside. Their upper surface is smooth, and they have a distinctly pungent taste.
The branches of the vine are jointed or knotted, with one leaf arising from each node.
Fruit
The long pepper fruit develops from the base of the leaf stalk. It resembles a small, elongated green mulberry and is smaller and thinner than the mulberry fruit.
Usually, one or two fruit spikes emerge from each node. Each spike is approximately 1–1.25 inches (2.5–3.2 cm) long.
The fruit is initially reddish as it matures and turns black when dried. Its entire surface is rough and serrated, consisting of numerous tightly packed individual grains enclosed within a thin, delicate outer covering.
The fruit has a bitter and pungent taste, similar to black pepper.
Traditional Identification
The characteristic elongated, rough fruit spike and pungent taste are important traditional identifying features of Pippali (long pep
