Piper excelsum (formerly known as Macropiper excelsum) of the pepper family (Piperaceae) and commonly known as kawakawa, is a small tree of which the subspecies P. excelsum subsp. excelsum is endemic to New Zealand;
Description
Kawakawa is found throughout the
North Island, and as far south as Ōkārito (43.20 °S) on the West Coast, and
Banks Peninsula (43.5 °S) on the east coast of the
South Island. The tree grows to .
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The leaves are often covered with holes caused by the caterpillar of the kawakawa looper moth ( Cleora scriptaria). The images depict the variety majus which has larger and more glossy leaves than P. excelsum.
Leaves
Kawakawa leaves are about 5–10 cm long by 6–12 cm wide; they are opposite to each other, broadly rounded with a short drawn-out tip and are heart-shaped at their bases. The leaves are deep green in colour if growing in the forest, but may be yellowish-green in more open situations.
Flowers
The flowers are produced on greenish, erect spikes 2.5–7.5cm long. They can be uni- or bisexual.
Berries
Each berry cluster is the size of a small finger. Ripening period is January and February. These fruits are favoured by kererū or New Zealand pigeon ( Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae) and tūī ( Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae). They contain very sticky juices.
Uses
Kawakawa was used as a traditional medicinal plant of the Māori.[ "Macropiper excelsum. Kawakawa" , Ngā Tipu Whakaoranga - Māori Plant Use Database, Landcareresearch.co.nz] An infusion made from the leaves or roots was used or its leaves were chewed to relieve toothache, and wounds were often bound in kawakawa leaves. The sweet edible yellow berries (most often found in summer on female trees) of the plant were eaten as a diuretic. Traditionally, leaves with holes that had been eaten by caterpillars were considered the best to use.
In cultural contexts, host people of a marae wave leaves of kawakawa to welcome guests. Kawakawa are associated with death,[ "Tangihanga – death customs", Te Ara]
Early European settlers to New Zealand used kawakawa in teas, and experimented using it as a flavouring agent in beer.[ New Zealand Plant Conservation Network: Piper excelsum subsp. excelsum] Kawakawa essential oil contains myristicin, a deliriant when consumed in high concentrations.
Relationship with kava
Kawakawa is sometimes called "Māori kava" and is often confused with the kava plant (Kava). While the two plants look similar and have similar names, they are different, albeit related, species.
Kava is a traditional plant and beverage of the South Pacific. The roots of the plant are used to produce a drink with medicinal, sedative, anesthetic, , and properties.
Common name
The name kawakawa comes from the Māori language, where it refers to the bitter taste of the leaves, from kawa or bitter.
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