11009-08601 Mountain horopito, or NZ Pepper tree (Pseudowintera colorata) the least specialized of all NZ's flowering plant families, the leaves contain the compound sesquiterpene dialdehyde polygodiali. Polygodial is a component of the "hot taste" in peppery spices. Eglington Valley, Fiordland *
IMG 1591 Mountain horopito, or NZ Pepper tree (Pseudowintera colorata) upper surface of leaves showing presence on underside of Limpet scale (Inglisia patella). Makarora *
DSC_0579 Mountain horopito, or NZ Pepper tree (Pseudowintera colorata) close-up of upper surface of the leaf showing presence on underside of Limpet scale (Inglisia patella). Makarora *