Kava is a plant that is related to black pepper. It originates from the western Pacific. The roots of the plants have medicinal properties and are used to prepare a drink which works as a sedative and has also anesthetic effect.
Names
Scientific
Piper methysticum
English
Kava
Kava-Kava
Dutch
Kava
Kava kava
Kawa
Kawa kawa
Spanish
Kava
Kava kava
Kawa-kawa
French
Kava
Kava-kava
Kawa
Kawa-kawa
German
Kava
Kava-Kava
Rauschpfeffer
Italian
Kava
Kava-kava
Taxonomy
Genus
Piper
Family
Piperaceae
Order
Piperales
Basic information and facts
Origin:
The plant originates from the Western Pacific.
Distribution:
Mainly in the western Pacific: Polynesia, Vanuatu, Melanesia, Micronesia, Solomin islands, and Australia.
Annual, biennial, or perennial:
It’s a perennial plant.
Climate and weather:
It grows well in warm humid climate.
Height:
It is a shrub which can reach a height of about 2 meters.
Propagation:
It is propagated from stem cuttings. It cannot reproduce sexually.
Harvesting:
The roots which can reach a depth of 60 cm are harvested when the plant is 18 months to 4 years of age.
Uses:
The roots of the plant are used and have to be prepared by chewing, grinding or pounding. The resulting product is then mixed with cold water to prepare a drink.
Did you know that?
- In some countries, Kava is regulated as it has some toxic effect and can cause liver damage or liver failure.
Crop categories
Medicinal plants
Tropical crops