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(Piper excelsum)
Kawakawa (Piper excelsum)
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Stephen Hartley
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Stephen Hartley
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Stephen Hartley | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Stephen Hartley | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2019-09-13T22:32:24Z |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Piper excelsum, commonly known as Kawakawa, is an evergreen shrub native to the understory of coastal and lowland forests throughout New Zealand. It is also found in secondary growth and at forest margins where it plays a role in ecological succession. Kawakawa typically grows to a height of 10-15 feet (3-4.6 meters) and a width of 8-10 feet (2.4-3 meters). Its distinctive heart-shaped leaves are often riddled with holes from the kawakawa looper moth caterpillars (Cleora scriptaria), which use the plant as a host. The shrub produces small, inconspicuous yellow-green flowers followed by orange fruit that are attractive to birds.
Kawakawa is valued for its lush foliage and cultural significance, particularly to Māori for its medicinal properties. It is used in gardens for its tolerance of shade and as an understory plant in native plantings. It requires consistently moist, well-drained soil and can tolerate a range of light conditions from part shade to full shade. While it is drought-sensitive, it can adapt to drier conditions once established. Kawakawa can be propagated from seed or cuttings, and it’s important to note that it can be sensitive to frost.CC BY-SA 4.0
Kawakawa is valued for its lush foliage and cultural significance, particularly to Māori for its medicinal properties. It is used in gardens for its tolerance of shade and as an understory plant in native plantings. It requires consistently moist, well-drained soil and can tolerate a range of light conditions from part shade to full shade. While it is drought-sensitive, it can adapt to drier conditions once established. Kawakawa can be propagated from seed or cuttings, and it’s important to note that it can be sensitive to frost.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Shrub
- Height: 10-15 feet
- Width: 8-10 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Spring, Winter
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Part Shade, Full Shade
- Water: Medium, High
- Drainage: Fast
Common Uses
Drought Tolerant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Low Maintenance
Natural Habitat
Coastal and lowland forests throughout New Zealand
Other Names
Common Names: Pepper Tree
Scientific Names: Piper excelsum , Macropiper excelsum subsp. excelsum , Macropiper psittacorum , Methysticum excelsum
GBIF Accepted Name: Macropiper excelsum subsp. excelsum