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NZ Plants
Piper excelsum - kawakawa
Pepper family: Piperaceae
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Branch
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Young stem, branch formation
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Young stem, branch formation
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Leaf base-stipule fully spread
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Prophyl at base of branch
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Swollen stem node
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Leaf, upper Leaf surface
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Leaf, lower Leaf surface
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Arrangement of male flowers
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Unopened male flowers with peltoid bracts between flowers
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Male flower, sectional view with peltoid bract and sessile anthers
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Male flower, hairs
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Open male flowers with pollen-shedding anthers (brown) and peltoid bracts (green)
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Arrangement of female flowers
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Female flowers, stigmas with three lobes
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Female flowers, sectional view with ovaries, stigmas and triangular bracts between flowers
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Female flower, stigma hairs
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Post-pollination flowers with enlarging ovaries
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Fruit
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Piper excelsum is a densely branched shrub with fleshy, aromatic heart-shaped leaves. The stems are swollen where the leaves are attached (the nodes) giving them a distinctive ‘jointed’ appearance. Tiny flowers are compactly arranged on short spikes. Formerly known as Macropiper excelsum. The genus Piper has around 2,000 species with a pan tropical distribution.
An endemic species found in lowland forest throughout New Zealand.
Vegetative characteristics |
Reproductive characteristics |
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Plant form: shrub up to 6 m |
Arrangement of parts: symmetric |
Flower size: 2-3 mm diam. |
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Leaf form: undivided, circular, heart-shaped |
Sepals: 0 |
Leaf size: 50-120 mm |
Petals: 0 |
Leaf arrangement: singly along stem |
Sexuality: unisexual |
Leaf attachment: sheathing; stipules |
Stamens: 2-3 |
Leaf margin: smooth |
Ovary: above petals |
Leaf surface: hairless |
Fruit: fleshy |