Piper ornatum

Piper ornatum is sometimes called the "Celebes Pepper". It is sometimes also listed as Piper crocatum. It is a vining species in the Pepper family. It is grown for it ornamental leaves. The glossy, heart shaped leaves are olive green with pink and silver mottling. The back of the leaf is blood red. It is endemic to Indonesia. This tropical vine loves the heat. The leaves and stems produce a natural secretion, tiny opaque dots, called cystolyths along with black pepper specs. These little crystals & specs are sometimes thought to be pests, but are not harmful & the plant should be secreting them!