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Piper latifolium

L.f. (1782)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Magnoliids Order: Piperales Family: Piperaceae Genus: Piper

Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form:

Stems:

Roots:

Leaves:

Flowers:

Fruit:

Ploidy:

Habitat:

Elevation Range:

Historical Distribution

Uses and Culture

USES

  • Drinks made from the plant produce a feeling of tranquil intoxication in which thoughts and memory remain clear. The drink is not alcoholic, hallucinogenic, narcotic, and opiate.

  • Religious offering

Natural History

Statewide Status

Only found in cultivation

Island Status

O'ahu Only found in cultivation

Dispersal Agents


Pollinators

Specimens

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Notes

  • Contains 15 compounds that depress motor and sensory function.
  • Over-consumption/prolonged of kava causes an unknown skin disorder of uncertain cause.

Bibliography

Name Published In: Suppl. Pl.: emend. (1782)

Other References

Poisonous Plants of Paradise (Scott and Thomas) p.99-100

Laau Hawaii (Abbott) p.17

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Piper latifolium Wahiawa Botanic Garden dense shade Preserved_Specimen shrub 3m tall and 5 m across. Major stems originate at the plant base. Rather sparingly branched. Lau, J. 2228 Oahu BISH 1986-04-14
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