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Spiked pepper
What is it?
Spiked pepper (Piper aduncum) has been grown as an ornamental plant but is regarded as a weed because of its ability to rapidly invade pastures and native landscapes, including disturbed rainforests. It grows extremely quickly, forms large clumps and can almost completely exclude native species.
Where is it found?
Native to the West Indies and tropical America, spiked pepper has become established in Florida, Southeast Asia, a number of Pacific islands and in Papua New Guinea.
What are its effects?
Spiked pepper grows to seven metres high, shading out or displacing crops or native vegetation. Its berry-like fruit is attractive to birds, fruit bats and other animals, which aid in dispersing its tiny seeds.
What’s the risk to Australia?
The presence of spiked pepper in neighbouring Papua New Guinea represents a significant threat to our pastures and native landscapes. AQIS inspects plant and seed imports as well as examines imports of machinery for sowing to ensure it is not imported.