Macropiper excelsum (Forst. fil.) Miq. (Piperaceae) Pepper Tree or Kawa-kawa An evergreen shrub or small tree with shining, broadly heart-shaped leaves and spikes of yellow to orange fruits, native of New Zealand, in North and N South Island, growing in lowland forest, fruiting throughout the year. Eventually to 6m, though usually c. 2m as a shrub. Leaves 5-10 x 6-12cm, with 5-7 nerves. Fruits 2-3mm across, dense on the upright spikes 2-8cm long. An attractive, shade-tolerant shrub. Min. -3°C, perhaps less. Var. majus (Cheesem.) Allan from the islands off the NE coast of North Island, has larger leaves and flower spikes c.15cm long. It is probably less hardy. Z9 probably