Native seed catalogue

Piper excelsum Pepper tree | Kawakawa

This guide is based on a literature review. It compiles information from various sources. Different sources may offer varying advice and findings.

Other known names

Macropiper excelsum.

Propagation summary

Good germination rates. Uncertainty around long-term storage. Can be grown from cuttings.

Seed propagation category

Easy.

Seed collection

Seed collection happens in February.(1) Some regions have plants that fruit throughout the year.(2)

Seed dormancy

16 days to first germination.(3) 2.5 weeks to first germination.(1)

Seed storage

Seeds store well.(2)

Pre-sowing treatments

Seeds need de-pulping (removal of seed from fruit) as in-fruit seeds have low germination (15%).(3)

Seed viability

64–76% of seeds are viable.(3)

Germination

Easily grown from fresh seeds.(4) Germination rate is 100%.(3), (1)

Propagation techniques

Can be grown from semi-hardwood cuttings.(4) Forms roots easily with hormone treatment (growth-stimulator) and bottom heat treatment (gently heating the bottom of seedling pots and trays).(2)

Research opportunities

Germination, seed storage, and vegetative propagation need further investigation.

Information about the native seed profiles

All species names are in the following order: scientific name, common name, and Māori name. Names may vary by region. We have tried to use the most common names across New Zealand.

We have sourced photos from different websites and creators. We have used the images under different licences. These include Public Domain and Creative Commons licenses. For Piper excelsum, the image details are:

The basis for each seed profile is a literature review carried out by Scion. Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service commissioned and worked on the review to produce a native seed catalogue. The full seed catalogue is on the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) website.

Native afforestation research programme: Seed propagation catalogue

References

1.

Burrows, C J (1997) Reproductive ecology of New Zealand forests: 2. Germination behaviour of seeds in varied conditions. New Zealand Natural Sciences 23, 53–69.

2.

Metcalf, L J (1995) The propagation of New Zealand native plants. Godwit; Auckland, New Zealand.

3.

Burrows, C J (1995) Germination behaviours of seeds of the New Zealand species Fuchsia excorticata, Griselinia littoralis, Macropiper excelsum, and Melicytus ramiflorus. New Zealand Journal of Botany 33(1), 131–140.

4.

New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Piper excelsum. Accessed 17 October 2024.

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