Horopito

one of five young Horopito growing in a group on the nature trail. A kereru has probability sat in a tree above and deposited the seeds.

There are four species of Horopito

• Pseudowintera colorata – Lowland Horopito found on the Tangihua ranges.
• Pseudowintera axillaris – commonly called the pepper tree as is Kawakawa. Found in the Tangihua Forest.
• Pseudowintera insperata – Northland Horopito Naturally found in a limited area (on the northern side of Whangarei Harbour). Only about 50 adult plants have survived in the wild.
• Pseudowintera traversii – Found Nelson to West Port area

Horopito are indigenous to New Zealand.

The first Horopito described here is Pseudowintera axillaris or Lowland Horopit, lowland pepper tree.

Horopito of the Tangihua forest are found.

Around the lodge, the nature trail and the confidence course. It is common in regenerating forest once goats and possums are stopped from grazing it. Not common in the Tangihua ranges.

Horopito description

Horopito grows up to 7m high but is most commonly seen as a shrub 1-3m high. It is one of the early establishing trees in regenerating forest.

Horopito is considered to be a very primitive flowering plant. This is because of the simple, unspecialised flowers are similar to that of conifers, rather than most flowering plants.

Horopito leaves and bark

Horopito leaves are yellow brown to green on top, underneath they are a dull greyish-green or blue colour. They have lots of red splotches and the new shoots are a brilliant red. The leaves vary in size ranging from 2-8cm long and 1-3cm wide.

A old large Horopito tree on the ridge on the nature trail, they are not commonly found.

Horopito earned its nickname the pepper tree because the leaves have a hot peppery taste and leave a burning sensation in the mouth. This taste deters browsers such as goats, possums and cattle, so it often dominates understorey vegetation. The taste is caused by polygodial, a compound that also has some anti-fungal properties.

Horopito Flowers and fruit

The flowers of the horopito are small and can be single or in clusters of five or more along the stem. They are green, yellow, about 1-1.5cm across and come out October – December.

Horopito has black berries which set in Autumn and are sought after by birds who spread the seeds.

Uses

Maori chewed or boiled the fresh leaves of Horopito for toothache and stomachache. Horopito was also used for skin diseases, wounds, cuts and burns as well as for painful bruising and sore joints.

In addition to the slightly uncharitable purpose of weaning children off breastfeeding (I imagine the peppery taste was quite effective). Māori also traditionally attached an interesting spiritual belief to horopito; whereby its leaves are worn by the souls of the dead – on the way to, and within, the afterlife.

Early settlers used Horopito as a substitute for quinine to treat diarrhoea and gastric infections. It was used for stomach aches and known as the ‘Maori Painkiller’ in such cases. It was also utilised for coughs, colds and asthma.

Other forest roles

A tiny native spider, called Lamina minor has developed a special association with horopito (specifically Pseudowintera colorata). These spiders are green with light purplish-pink markings that help them to blend in with the leaves. They have a transparent skin, which on close inspection permits the viewer to see their beating heart.