Leaf damage does not affect leaf loss or chlorophyll content in the New Zealand pepper tree, kawakawa (Macropiper excelsum)

Kawakawa (Macropiper excelsum) is an understorey, forest tree which sustain s conspicuous and substantial herbivory from the larvae of a geometrid moth , Cleora scriptaria.. This study examined the relationship between leaf abs cission and the amount of damage a leaf had sustained. In the field, kawaka wa trees showed no increase in the rate of leaf shedding in response to exp erimental damage by C. scriptaria larvae or to artificial damage produced b y a hole punch, even when 90% of the leaf area was removed. The tree did no t compensate for a loss in leaf area by increasing the chlorophyll content of damaged leaves. Although herbivore damage is conspicuous and appears det rimental, the tree's leaf phenology does not appear to be affected. It is c oncluded that this plant species has evolved to tolerate frequent and sever e feeding damage to its leaves.