Battling the False Kava Plant in Samoa!

While plagiarism may be a sincere form of flattery, this may not be the case for the False Kava (Piper auritum).This fast growing invasive shrub, looks and feels like the Ava plant which is renowned throughout the Pacific region. It is a noxious weed which competes with other plants and threatens native forests where it is introduced as it quickly forms large thickets and a dense canopy.