Piper majusculum Blume

Gardner, R. O., 2013, Piper (Piperaceae) in New Guinea: the climbing species, Blumea 57 (3), pp. 275-294 : 288

13. Piper majusculum Blume — Fig. 5c

Piper majusculum Blume (1826) 210; Quisumb. (1930) 45; Chew (1972) 12; R.O. Gardner (2006) 582; (2010) 12. — Type: Blume s.n. (L n.v.), Java, Mt Salak.

Distribution — Java (and presumably elsewhere in central Malesia), Philippine Is., New Guinea (perhaps mainly in the western part of island), Solomon Is.

Habitat & Ecology — In forest, sea level to c. 100(– 840 m) altitude.

Note — In the older literature this species was confused with P. decumanum (as noted by Quisumbing 1930: 47, Chew 1972: 7). The two are generally distinguishable by their colour on drying: the former becomes dark greyish and is often flushed dull maroon below, while the latter becomes greenish yellow.

Figures

Fig. 5 Specimens of Piper species. – a. P. macropiper Pennant. – b. P. macropiper Pennant var. macrophylla R.O.Gardner. – c. P. majusculum Blume. – d. P. mestonii F.M.Bailey (a: Takeuchi 4572; b: Brass 32543; c: Takeuchi 9179; d: Takeuchi 6246, all A).