Piper methysticum G.Forst.

A shrub. It grows 2-3 m high. It has thick woody underground stems or rhizomes. The roots become knotty and greyish-green. The stems have prominent swollen nodes. The leaves are large and rounded. They are heart shaped and have veins spreading out like fingers on a hand. The flowers occur in greenish white spikes. These occur singly.

It is a tropical plant. It suits hot humid places. It will grow in most well drained soils. It does well in moist, cool valleys. It needs deep, fertile, organically rich soils.

The roots are peeled, pulped and fermented to make a drink. The leaves are cooked and used as a vegetable.

It can be grown from seed or stem cuttings. Plants are grown at a spacing of 1 m apart.