Piperales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Piperales |
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| Piper aduncum | |
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Piperales
Dumort. (1829)
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Aristolochiaceae |
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Piperales is a special group of flowering plants. In science, a "plant order" is like a big family that includes several smaller plant families. The Piperales order always includes the Piperaceae family.
Some well-known plants you might recognize from this group are black pepper, kava, lizard's tail, birthwort, and wild ginger. These plants are found in different parts of the world and are used for various purposes.
Contents
What are Piperales Plants?
The plants in the Piperales order are mostly herbs, shrubs, or small trees. Many of them grow in tropical and subtropical areas. They are known for their unique flowers and fruits.
Key Families in Piperales
There are five main families that belong to the Piperales order:
- Piperaceae: This is the most famous family. It includes the plant that gives us black pepper, which is a common spice. It also includes kava, a plant used for drinks in some cultures.
- Aristolochiaceae: This family includes plants like birthwort and wild ginger. Many plants in this group have interesting, often pipe-shaped flowers.
- Saururaceae: This family includes plants like lizard's tail. They often grow in wet places.
- Hydnoraceae: These are very unusual plants. They are parasites that grow underground and have strange, fleshy flowers that appear above the soil.
- Lactoridaceae: This family has only one type of plant, found on a small island. It is quite rare.
Famous Piperales Plants and Their Uses
Many plants in the Piperales order are important to people.
Black Pepper
Black pepper comes from the Piper nigrum plant, which is part of the Piperaceae family. It is one of the most popular spices in the world. The small, round berries are dried and ground to make the pepper we use in our food every day.
Kava
Kava (from the plant Piper methysticum) is also in the Piperaceae family. It is a traditional drink in the Pacific Islands. People make it from the plant's roots. It is often used in social gatherings and ceremonies.
Wild Ginger
Some plants called wild ginger belong to the Aristolochiaceae family. Unlike the ginger root you buy at the store (which is a different plant), wild ginger has a unique, spicy smell. Its roots were sometimes used in traditional medicines.
See also
In Spanish: Piperales para niños
