Piper auritum

Piper auritum, also known as Hoja santa, is a tropical plant species in the family Piperaceae. It is native to southern Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. The plant is recognized for its large, heart-shaped leaves and its distinctive aroma, which is often compared to anise or licorice.

Description

Piper auritum is a perennial herb that can grow up to 4 meters in height. The plant's leaves are its most distinctive feature, being large, heart-shaped, and often reaching up to 30 cm in length. The leaves are also known for their unique aroma, which is often compared to anise or licorice. The plant produces small, inconspicuous flowers in long, slender spikes, and its fruit is a small, spherical berry.

Cultivation and uses

Piper auritum is cultivated for its leaves, which are used in a variety of culinary and medicinal applications. In Mexican cuisine, the leaves are often used to wrap tamales, or used in the preparation of green sauces. The leaves are also used in traditional medicine for their supposed analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.

Taxonomy

The species was first described by the Danish botanist William Hillebrand in 1853. It is a member of the genus Piper, which includes over 1,000 species of shrubs, herbs, and lianas, many of which are of economic importance.

See also

• List of Piper species
• Piperaceae
• Mexican cuisine