Piper hederaceum grows well in the Noosa shire. It prefers dry eucalypt forests but isn’t restricted to this ecosystem. The vine has attractive glossy heart shaped leaves. The leaf colour can vary depending on the sunshine levels. It is a true vine and grows well up tress but will also run along the ground. It would make an attractive house plant.
The peppercorns grow at a height that make harvesting easy. They grow in a cluster. Like all pepper the flavour varies as the fruits ripen. To prepare for grinding, remove the corns and dry out.
Please remember, as with all native plants, if you find Piper growing in a National park it is illegal to pick the fruit. When harvesting outside of a park, be sure to only take what you need and leave enough fruit for the birds.
Michelle Newall, Project Coordinator
