Piper methysticum Forster

Piper methysticum Forster f

Piper methysticum Forster f., Pl. Esc. Ins. Oc. Austr., 76, 1786 [type from cultivation in the Society, Friendly, or Sandwich islands, collected by Forster, not seen by us].— Christian, Caroline Islands, 188–193, 329, 348, 1899.—Kanehira, Fl. Micr., 81–82, pl. 14, 1933; Enum. Micr. Pl., 305, 1935—Hoshino, Guntô no Sangyô [1934]:[1–11, 1934].— Smith, Jour. Am. Arb., 24:353, 1943.—Glassman, Res. Rev., 1950:16–18, 1950; Bishop Mus. Bull., 209:55, 1952.—Massai and Barrau, S. Pac. Comm. Techn. Pap., 94:44, 1956.— Yuncker, Occ. Pap. Bishop Mus., 22:88–89, 1959.—Fosberg, Phytologia, 13:238, 1966.

Macropiper methysticum (Forster f.) Miquel, Comment. Phytogr., 36, 1840.

Large shrub (to 50 ft [15 m] according to Glassman 1950), nodes prominent; leaves large, orbicular-cordate, slightly acuminate, nerves 11 or 13, from base except inner pair which issue from midrib 1–2 cm above base, petioles and veins beneath very shortly but densely puberulent, margin ciliolate, petiole 2–3 cm long, not wing-expanded, only the extreme base sheathing, stipules lanceolate, 4–5 cm long, caducous; flowers dioecious, in pedunculate spikes mostly less than half the length of leaves, pistillate only known from Micronesia, bracts strongly imbricate when young, their margins erose or even fimbriate; ovaries obovoid, stigmas 3, flattish; fruit not seen.

New Guinea, Melanesia, Polynesia; in Micronesia planted or persisting from planting, possibly spontaneous, on Ponape and Kusaie. We have seen no specimens from Kusaie, but do not doubt that it occurs there or at least did formerly. Guam records probably apply to the superficially similar P. guahamense. Christian (1899:348), gives the names langil and thlangil from Yap, saying they apply to “a variety of the wild kava,” but since we have no record of P. methysticum from there, we assume that these names must apply to something else. We also doubt the authenticity of the records from Palau and Truk, as we have seen no material from either group.

ETHNOBOTANY.—Christian (1899:188–193) discusses kava-drinking, says it exists only on Ponape and Kusaie in Micronesia; he regards it as having great medicinal value. A watery infusion of the pulverized root is a widely used beverage (Yuncker, 1959:89). Account of preparation and use of “sakau” (kava), made from this plant; cites beliefs in medicinal virtues, also; banned in Kusaie by missionaries in 1850 (Ponape: Glassman, 1950:18). “There are several centres of kava drinking in the area: Ponape in the Carolines …” (Ponape: Massal and Barrau, 1956:44). Roots are source of beverage kava (Ponape: Glassman 2725). Root used to make drink (Ponape: Kanehira, 1935:305). Observed in common use on Ponape in 1973 (Sachet, ined.).

VERNACULAR NAMES.—

chakau (Ponape: Christian, 1899:329)

choko (Ponape: Christian, 1899:329)

sakaw (Ponape: Gabung 1)

sakau (Ponape: Not District, Glassman 2725; Yuncker, 1959, p. 89)

sawkaw (Ponape: Fosberg 26318)

shakau (Ponape: Kanehira, 1935:305; Kiti District, Glassman, 1952:55)

seka (Kusaie: Christian, 1899:329; Kanehira, 1933: 82)

GEOGRAPHIC RECORDS AND SPECIMENS EXAMINED

MARIANAS ISLANDS.—Guam: Marche 10 (P) (placed here with doubt by Yuncker but probably better referred to P. guahamense).

CAROLINE ISLANDS.—Palau: Babeldaob (Babelthuap): Melekiok (Marukyoku), Yuncker, 1959:88–89, citing Kanehira 453 which we refer to P. betle f. densum.

Truk: Christian, 1899:189, reports, as hearsay, that kava grows in “Hogolu or Ruk.”

Ponape: Christian, 1899:188–193, 329; Metaranium (Matalanim), Kanehira 835 (FU, BISH); Gabung 1 (US); Colonia, Kanehira 671 (NY); Mt. Asama-san, 500–200 m, Hosokawa 9601 (A); Mt. Seletereh, 500 ft [150 m], Glassman 2725 (US, BISH); south base of Tolenot Pk., Not District, 3–10 m, Fosberg 26318 (US); Anapeng-pa, Takamatsu 708 (BISH); Tolomail, cultivated, Takamatsu 970 (BISH); Kuporujo, cultivated, Takamatsu 676 (BISH).

Kusaie: Christian, 1899:188–189; Kanehira, 1933: 82; Glassman, 1952:55.