Piper sarmentosum

P. sarmentosum is a shade-tolerant, low-growing perennial herb native to Vietnam and elsewhere in Southeast Asia. It is invasive in Hawaii and Pohnpei, where it can smother the ground and compete with agricultural and natural vegetation. It can spread from plant fragments and rhizomes and is sometimes deliberately planted by humans (Englberger, 2009). P. sarmentosum grows very well in the forest understory and can smother the ground. It competes with agricultural and natural vegetation (Englberger, 2009). In some countries the leaves of P. sarmentosum are used to wrap food (Englberger, 2009).

Description

Taken from Englberger (2009):

This low-growing perennial herb or subshrub spreads by underground rhizomes. The erect stems are brownish and can grow 30-40 cm high. The leaves are alternate, simple, dark green with a leaf petiole up to 3 cm long. The inflorescence is a creamy-white, club-shaped spike; flowers are sunk into the inflorescence and partially fused with it. In Pohnpei the plant does not appear to produce fruits.

Prevention and Control

Taken from Englberger (2009):

Physical removal is effective if done repeatedly for an extended period. For chemical control, two to three applications of glyphosphate at a high concentration can control the plant.