| Brazilian peppertree |
USDA PLANTS Symbol: SCTE USDA ARS GRIN: 70672 ITIS: 28812 NAPIS: PAHACBB |
| Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi | |
|
Taxonomic Rank: Magnoliopsida: Sapindales: Anacardiaceae |
|
| 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
- Invasive Species Management Plans for Florida - University of Florida - Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants
- Identification and Biology of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas - University of Florida
- Fire Effects Information System - USDA Forest Service
- Element Stewardship Abstract - The Nature Conservancy
- Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the Eastern United States - USDA Forest Service
| Selected Images from Invasive.org | View All Images at Invasive.org |
 Seedling(s); Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Foliage; Amy Ferriter, State of Idaho, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Flower(s); Amy Ferriter, State of Idaho, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Fruit(s); Dan Clark, USDI National Park Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Fruit(s); Amy Ferriter, State of Idaho, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Fruit(s); fruit Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Foliage; with fruit Dan Clark, USDI National Park Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Fruit(s); Dan Clark, USDI National Park Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); habit Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); habit Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Infestation; Ann Murray, University of Florida, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Infestation; Randy Westbrooks, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Management; Americorps removing debris Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Management; debris after Americorps project Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Management; trimmed up after Americorps project Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Control; removal along bike trail Dan Clark, USDI National Park Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Seed(s); Steve Hurst, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
Taxonomic References:
- USDA, NRCS. 2001. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.1, National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.
Invasive Listing Sources:
- Archbold Biological Station
- Faith Campbell, 1998. Plants that Hog the Garden: Invasive Plants in the United States. Fine Gardening Online
- Jil M. Swearingen, Survey of invasive plants occurring on National Park Service lands, 2000-2007
- John Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Survey of TNC Preserves, 1995.
- National Wildlife Refuge Association, Silent Invasion: A Call to Action from the National Wildlife Refuge Association, 2002. Washington DC. 17 pp.
- Nonnative Invasive Species in Southern Forest and Grassland Ecosystems
- Reichard, Sarah. 1994. Assessing the potential of invasiveness in woody plants introduced in North America. University of Washington Ph.D. dissertation.
- University of Hawaii, Botany Department, Hawaiian Alien Plant Studies, 1998
- WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States
- California Invasive Plant Council
- Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council Category I
- Florida Keys Invasive Species Task Force
- Florida Noxious Weeds
- Southwest Florida Cooperative Invasive Species Mgmt. Area
- Treasure Coast Cooperative Invasive Species Mgmt. Area - EARLY DRAFT
- Texas Noxious Weeds
Partners
