Piper interruptum Opiz

Opiz, P.M. inPresl (1828) Reliq. Haenk. 1: 157. Type: Philippines, Luzon, 1792, T. Haenke s. n. Holo: PR.

A slender vine not exceeding a stem diameter of 2 cm.

Leaf blades about 8-12 x 3.5-6.5 cm, petioles about 1-1.5 cm long. Stipules caducous, about 7-9 mm long, sheathing the terminal bud.

Female flowers: Inflorescence leaf-opposed, a dense spike with the flowers arranged in two spiralling lines on the spike (double helix). Each flower small, about 0.5 mm diam., consisting mainly of a comparatively large fleshy bract. Staminodes very small, not or scarcely visible with a lens. Stigma +/- sessile, 1-4 armed, resembling a starfish (Asteroidea).

Infructescence about 7-9 cm long. Individual fruits globular, about 3.5-4 mm diam., sessile. Seeds globular, about 2.5-3 mm diam. Embryo cylindrical, about 1 mm long, enclosed in a broadly conical structure.

Features not available.

Occurs in NEQ and CEQ. Altitudinal range from near sea level to 750 m. Grows in lowland and upland rain forest. Also occurs in New Guinea and other parts of Malesia.