Broad-leaved Pepper Tree Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi
Synonyms -
Family: - Anacardiaceae
Names:
Other Names:
Brazilian Pepper
Japanese Pepper
Summary:
A tree or shrub with several trunks, 3-6 m tall. The pinnate leaves and leathery leaflets have a red to yellow midrib and smell like turpentine when crushed. Female plants produce clusters of small, bright red, 5 mm diameter berries at then ends of branches during winter. Male trees have many small cream flowers in late summer.
Description:
Cotyledons:
Two.
First leaves:
Leaves:
Pinnate with 7-11 leaflets. Exude a clear sap and smell of turpentine when damaged.
Stipules -
Petiole -
Blade - of leaflets; Dark green, leathery, oval.
Stems:
Not weeping
Flower head:
Looks like a bunch of tiny, spaced grapes.
Flowers:
White to cream. Male flowers deciduous.
Ovary -
Calyx -
Perianth -
Sepals -
Petals - Cream to white
Stamens -
Anthers -
Fruit:
Globular, berry up to 5 mm diameter
Seeds:
Roots:
Form suckers when damaged.
Key Characters:
Biology:
Life cycle:
Perennial.
Physiology:
Reproduction:
By seed.
Flowering times:
Late summer in WA.
Seed Biology and Germination:
Vegetative Propagules:
Roots form suckers. Base re grows if cut.
Hybrids:
Allelopathy:
Population Dynamics and Dispersal:
Spread by birds and mammals that eat the seeds and berries. Thickets formed by suckering from the roots especially if they are disturbed. Long distance spread is usually by intentional planting or disposal of garden refuse.
Origin and History:
Brazil.
Introduced as an ornamental landscape tree.
Distribution:
ACT, NSW, QLD, WA.
Habitats:
Climate:
Temperate to tropical.
Soil:
Tolerates most soils. More common on sand over limestone or sand over laterite.
Prefers wetter areas.
Plant Associations:
Significance:
Beneficial:
Ornamental. Shelter. Common street tree.
Aromatic fruits are called Pink Peppercorns and used as gourmet food but may cause vomiting if quantities are consumed.
Detrimental:
An aggressive coloniser of disturbed areas such as roadsides, abandoned farms, wetlands and waterways.
Forms thickets.
Serious weed of Pacific Islands including Norfolk Island.
Invasive weed of the USA.
Toxicity:
May cause a skin irritation. It is related to Poison Ivy.
Fruits may cause vomiting if a quantity are eaten.
Symptoms:
Vomiting.
Treatment:
Legislation:
None
Management and Control:
Seedlings and saplings can be removed by hand.
Burning usually reduces the infestation.
Target female trees in control programs initially to reduce seed production and further spread.
Cutting trees usually results in vigorous re growth and suckering unless the stump is painted immediately with herbicide such as neat glyphosate or triclopyr.
Thresholds:
Eradication strategies:
Apply 1 part or Access or Garlon in 60 parts diesel to a 30 cm band around the base of each stem. Pull or remove seedling for several years.
Herbicide resistance:
None reported.
Biological Control:
None available.
Related plants:
Pepper Tree (Schinus areira) is larger and has much narrower leaflets.
Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) and Edible Mango (Mangifera indica) are in the same family.
Plants of similar appearance:
Cotoneaster.
Hawthorn
Tree of Heaven.
References:
Bodkin, F. (1986). Encyclopaedia Botanica. (Angus and Robertson, Australia).
Everist, S.L. (1974). Poisonous Plants of Australia. (Angus and Robertson, Sydney).
Hussey, B.M.J., Keighery, G.J., Cousens, R.D., Dodd, J. and Lloyd, S.G. (1997). Western Weeds. A guide to the weeds of Western Australia. (Plant Protection Society of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia). P82. Photo
Lazarides, M. and Cowley, K. and Hohnen, P. (1997). CSIRO handbook of Australian Weeds. (CSIRO, Melbourne). 893.3.
Paczkowska, G. and Chapman, A. (2000). The Western Australia flora: a descriptive catalogue. (Wildflower Society of Western Australia (Inc), the Western Australian Herbarium, CALM and the Botanic Gardens & Parks Authority). P145.
Randall, J.M. and Marinelli, J. (1996) Invasive Plants. (Brooklyn Botanic Gardens Inc. Brooklyn). P68. Photo.
Acknowledgments:
Collated by HerbiGuide. Phone 08 98444064 or www.herbiguide.com.au for more information.