the Piper nigrum plant. It's a flowering vine that's native to India and is commonly grown in tropical regions. Black pepper is the world's most traded spice.

Description
Appearance: Small, round, and dark brown to nearly black peppercorns
Flavor: Sharp, earthy, pungent, and spicy
Aroma: Warm, earthy with hints of citrus and a slight floral undertone

Uses
Seasoning in soups, stews, marinades, and spice blends
Adding boldness and spice to many applications, including salad dressings, pasta sauces, cooking sauces, table sauces, sausages, meat snacks, potato chips, and crackers
Used in beauty products, traditional and applied medicines, pepper spirit, and pepper oil

Production
Peppercorns are harvested when they are still green and unripe
They are then left to dry in the sun for several days
As they dry, the outer layer of the fruit shrinks and darkens, creating the characteristic black color of the pepper