Untrained, the plant will climb 20 or more feet, but for commercial purposes it is restricted to 12 feet. The plant is propagated by cuttings and grown at the base of trees with a rough, prickly bark to support them. Between three or four years after planting they commence fruiting and their productiveness ends about the fifteenth year. In England, for grinding they mix Peppers of different origin. Malabar for weight, Sumatra for colour, and Penang for strength.
Pepper has an aromatic odour, pungent and bitterish taste.
The concrete oil is a deep green colour and very acrid. As a gargle it is valued for relaxed uvula, paralysis of the tongue. On account of its stimulant action it aids digestion and is specially useful in atonic dyspepsia and torbid condition of the stomach. It will correct flatulence and nausea. It has also been used in vertigo, paralytic and arthritic disorders.