Kava
Piper methysticum

Family: Piperaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows 2-3 m high. It has thick woody underground stems or rhizomes. The roots become knotty and greyish-green. The stems have prominent swollen nodes. The leaves are large and rounded. They are heart shaped and have veins spreading out like fingers on a hand. The flowers occur in greenish white spikes. These occur singly.

There are between 1000-2000 Piper species. They are mostly in the tropics. This plant is probably a sterile cultivar of Piper wichmannii.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It suits hot humid places. It will grow in most well drained soils. It does well in moist, cool valleys. It needs deep, fertile, organically rich soils.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, FSM, Hawaii, India, Kosrae, Marquesas, Micronesia, Niue, Pacific, Papua New Guinea (country/location of origin), Pohnpei, Rotuma, Samoa, Solomon Islands (country/location of origin), Tonga, USA, Vanuatu (country/location of origin), Wallis and Futuna

How it is used for food

The roots are peeled, pulped and fermented to make a drink. The leaves are cooked and used as a vegetable.

Kava is a crop of major cultural significance in the Pacific. It is a cultivated food plant.

Edible parts

Roots, leaves

How it is grown

It can be grown from seed or stem cuttings. Plants are grown at a spacing of 1 m apart.

The roots are harvested 2-4 years after planting.

Its other names

Local names

Abukai, 'Ava, Borogur, Cava, Kava-kava, Laalak, Melmel, Sakau, Seka, Sekau, Sene, Sini, Sukha, Worgor, Yangona, Yaqona

Synonyms

Macropiper methysticum Miq.;