Piperales

Order of Magnoliids

Food, Plant source foods, Flowering plats (angiospermae), Mesangiosperms, Magnoliids

Consumption area(s): Earth

Note: For better understanding, please read the article on flowering plants (angiospermae) first. If you come across unfamiliar words, you can click on any highlighted term to open the glossary with definitions of key botanical terms.

Introduction

The Piperales represent a group within the flowering plants, encompassing around 4,170 known species. While the Piperaceae family is a constant member of this order, other related groups have been added or removed throughout botanical history, reflecting shifts in classification approaches.

Among the better-known species commonly linked to Piperales are black pepper, kava, pepper elder, and wild ginger. These plants show a wide variety of forms and uses, often found in both culinary and medicinal traditions.

Classification of Piperales

This order is further divided into families:

• Aristolochiaceae (wild ginger)
• Piperaceae (kava, pepper)