Kava (Fijian: Yaqona)

A clumping shrub with growth up to 2.5 meters tall, Kava thrives In loose well drained soils where plenty of air reaches the roots, needing high rainfall and humidity, It Is an understory plant, sensitive to sunlight and not salt tolerant. It cannot reproduce sexually with female flowers being extremely rare, they do not produce fruit even when hand pollinated.

Thought to have originated from Vanuatu and descended from Papua New Guinea, Kava Is found In Micronesia, Melanesia and Polynesian Islands.

Used to treat anxiety it is also excellent for improving the quality of sleep and as a mild euphoric. Known as “Yaqona”, it has been used for centuries as a sacred offering in traditional ceremonies. Only the non-aerial parts of the plants are consumed after being dried and pounded.

Closely related (same genus) to “Black Pepper” (Piper nigrum).