(kawa = ‘bitter’, referring to the taste of the leaves)

The large, heart-shaped, deep green leaves are peppery to taste, sub-tropical looking and found throughout the North Island; traditionally worn as a wreath at tangis.

Leaves are widely used in teas and a staple in rongoa Maori (medicinal use) as an infusion or tea or chewed (like Horopito). Traditionally, leaves with holes are harvested, as these are likely to have a higher concentration of beneficial compounds (the chemicals deter insect browse). The holes are made by the caterpillars of several moths, including the Kawakawa looper Cleora scriptaria, which comes out at night to feed on young leaves, undeterred by the chemicals the plants produce. During the day, caterpillars lie flat to look like a part of the leaf edge or leaf vein. Please don’t use the offshore varieties – they may be bigger and shinier, but don’t tend to be a host for the caterpillars. The large yellow to orange berries are a treat, but you have to get in early to beat the blackbirds – or kereru.

Piper excelsum (Auckland Botanic Gardens)

Foraging: kawakawa | RNZ ‘Jamie Morton talking about foraging leaves with Johanna Knox)

Critter of the week way back in 2017 Critter of the Week: The Kawakawa Looper Moth | RNZ

Kawakawa Looper » Manaaki Whenua