Betel Leaf (Piper sarmentosum)

Family: Piperaceae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

Betel leaf (Piper sarmentosum) is a perennial climber of the family Piperaceae, which includes Black pepper (Piper nigrum) and kava kava (Piper methysticum). Not to be confused with Betel (Piper betle), a completely different plant with different uses to Betel leaf. It grows to 10m long, though stems tend to creep along the ground with off-shoots to 0.5m high.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves, Flowers

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

flavour, they are delicious chopped up into salads . — Leaves are eaten raw or cooked.; A nice peppery flavour, they are delicious chopped up into salads.; The leaves can also be added to curries or blanched and used as a potherb.; Larger leaves can be up to 10cm across, and these can be lightly steamed and then used as wraps for vegetables etc.

Habitat & North American Range

Forests or wet places near villages from near sea level to 1,000 metres . Edges of semi-evergreen type forests at or near sea level in the Andamans . (Zone 9)