Brazilian peppertree |
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| Sapindales > Anacardiaceae > Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi
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| Synonym(s): Christmas berry, Florida holly |
| Brazilian peppertree is a broadleaved, evergreen shrub or small tree that invades natural and disturbed areas in Hawaii, Florida, Texas and California. Plants can grow to 30 ft. (9 m) tall. The alternate, dark green leaves are pinnately compound and slightly toothed along leaflet margins. Leaflets are opposite along a (usually) winged rachis and 1-2 in. (2.5-5.1 cm) long. Leaves smell strongly of pepper or turpentine when crushed. Trees are dioecious with clusters of small, white, 5-petaled flowers developing in the leaf axils of young stems. Trees flower year-round, but flowers are most concentrated in the fall. Fruit are small, bright red berries. Brazilian peppertree invades a variety of habitats including old fields, forests, hammocks, ditches, and wetlands. It forms dense thickets that displace native vegetation. Brazilian peppertree is native to South America and was first introduced into the United States in the 1840s as an ornamental. |
Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources
Selected Images
External Links
Invasive Reference(s)
- California - Invasive Plant Inventory
- Florida - EPPC list
- Texas - Noxious Weed Law
- Texas - Invasive Plant List
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- Nonnative Invasive Plants of Southern Forests: A Field Guide for Identification and Control
- Invasive Plants: Guide to Identification and the Impacts and Control of Common North American Species
- USDA Forest Service Fire Effects
Subject Reference(s)
- USDA, NRCS. 2001. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.1, National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA. -
http://plants.usda.gov/
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