Kawakawa leaves for the Book of Flowers
This small painting is of Kawakawa leaves, sometimes called the New Zealand pepper tree,
it is a native coastal shrub. This variety is called Macropiper Golden Heart because of the golden splash in the centre of each heart shaped leaf.
The leaves are often pitted with small holes made by a native looper moth.
Maori custom uses the leaves as a head wreath for tangis (grieving and burial for the dead). It is also known for it's herbal properties and can be made into a tea or chewed to relieve toothache.
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