Schinus terebinthifolia
Michael's Opinion
This tree Schinus Terebinthifolia was intended to be a ornamental tree in warmer climates with my research I have come to find that it has a tendency to become invasive when cut/pruned and the berries have a mild toxicity, when small animals ingest they have a paralyzing effect. Brazilian pepper has an aromatic sap that can cause skin reactions, ‘similar to poison ivy burns’ in some sensitive people. Schinus terebinifolia blooms with beautiful white clusters of white flowers that create small bright red peppercorns. They are quite beautiful in full bloom, and when the red berries are all that remain.
Botanical Information
| Family | Anacardiaceae |
| Genus | Schinus |
| Species | terebinthifolia |
| Category | Woody |
| Type | Tree (evergreen) |
| Origin | The country of origin for this woody evergreen tree is Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. But Schinus terebinthifiloa can be found in the warmer climates around the world most of which are found in the United States of America. Specifically, in Texas, Hawaii, Florida, and parts of California. This species is a cultivar of Schinus mole the Peruvian Pepper tree; which is an actual edible pink pepper corn, pepper tree used and sold is the United States of America. as a spice. The Brazilian pepper tree is widely grown as an ornamental tree in frost free regions. But this tree is a very invasive species and when the cut it produces a variety of shoots that spread. |
Details
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 8 - 11 |
| USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone | 6a -8b |
| Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
| RHS Hardiness Zone | H1c - H6 |
| RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
| Temperature (°C) | (-15) - 10 |
| Temperature (°F) | 5 - 50 |
| Height | 9m |
| Spread | 4m |
| Growth | Medium |
| Flowering Period | March, April, May |
Description and Growing Information
| General Description | The Brazilian pepper tree is a spreading shrub, out over a large area in an untidy way. It has a shallow root system reaching a height of 7 – 10 m. Branches can be upright, reclining, or vine like, all on one tree. Its plastic morphology allows this plant to thrive in a large assortment of ecosystems. Dunes to swamps where it grows as a semi-aquatic plant. The leaves alternate, 10 – 22 cm long, pinnately compound with 3-5-15 leaflets; oval, lanceolate to elliptical 3 - 6 cm long and 2 – 3.5 cm broad with finely toothed margins. Acute to rounded apex with yellowish veins. The leaf rachis between the leaflets are usually winged. Brazilian pepper tree is dioecious with small white flowers found in clusters. Fruit is drupe 4 – 5 mm in diameter, carried in dense large clusters of hundreds of red berries. |
| Shape | When pruned the tree takes the shape of the top of an ice cream cone (the ice cream part) when left to grow wild it can grow like a regular tree to multiple shoots from the roots. |
| Landscape | Schinus terebithifolia likes moist to dry, but warm temperatures where frost isn’t a factor. Used as an ornamental tree along boulevards. |
| Habitat | Dry dunes to warm swampy. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description | the flower when in full bloom resembles a lotus flower. With multiple stamens and a large pistil. |
| Leaf Description | Long pinnately rounded leaves . |
| Flower Description | Small white, borne profusely in axillary clusters. |
| Fruit Description | Dark red, small drupe like, 4–5 mm diameter, bundled in hundreds of clusters. |
| Colour Description | Light to dark green adult leaves, red start for young leaves, bright red berries, small white flowers. Grey brown bark. |