Macropiper excelsum (Kawakawa)

Macropiper excelsum (Kawakawa) Details

Macropiper excelsum, commonly known as Kawakawa or the Pepper Tree, is an attractive shrub that prefers to grow in shaded areas. It is renowned for its heart-shaped, dark green leaves which are aromatic when crushed. The foliage is adorned with small, white flowers in winter which are followed by orange berries in summer. This evergreen typically grows to 3 m tall and the same wide and can be trimmed as necessary. It performs best when planted in partial shade on a well-drained, sheltered site, though it is tolerant of moderate frost, coastal environments, and will grow across a wide range of soil conditions, barring the extremes of wet and dry. Macropiper excelsum is commonly planted in shaded areas, included in a mixed planting, used as a backdrop for smaller plants, or used in revegetation and riparian plantings.