Kawakawa

Profile

Family

Piperaceae

Habit

Shrub

Height

6 m

Spread

6 m

Growth

medium

Lifespan

30 years

First yield

after 3 years

Hardiness

zone 9–11

Shade tolerance

full shade

Soil

Sand, Silt, Loam, Clay

Soil moisture

moist – near water

pH

6 – 7

Synonyms

Tahiti Pfeffer

Flowering & harvest

Times apply to the northern hemisphere in a temperate climate and shift with altitude and cultivar.

Uses

Edible: Fruit+seeds (raw – like a spicy strawberry, seeds as a spice); leaves (aromatic) (beer, tea, flavor, seasoning in salt);

Medicinal: The fruit of the plant has diuretic properties and can help with toothaches as well as neuralgic/rheumatic joint pain. The leaves possess antiseptic, numbing, aphrodisiac, stimulating, and toning properties. An infusion of the leaves can act as a blood purifier, for kidney and bladder issues, stomach ailments, gonorrhea, and intestinal parasites. An infusion of the leaves can also aid in treating scabies when used in a bath. A poultice made from the leaves can help with skin problems such as bruises, abscesses, cuts, wounds, and swelling, as well as toothaches and rheumatism. The root can be used for toothaches and dysentery.

Other uses: Dry and burnt leaves (as insect repellent), signs of the morning; windbreak strips.

Notable

Toleriert maritime Exposition + tiefer Schatten (Formschnitt); Einige Menschen haben Enzyme, die Amphetamine aus dem Kawakawa herstellen; Die empfohlenen zarten Blätter sind diejenigen mit Löchern von der Raupe; Hauptfruchtzeit von Januar bis März, an einigen Standorten reifen die Früchte das ganze Jahr über; Lockt einheimische Vögel an: z.B. Kereru und Tui;

Origin & habitat

In the dry regions of the Andes, it is found as a shrub in arid areas, but it reaches tree size in dry riverbeds with accessible groundwater.

Related plants