Common name: Pepper Tree, Peruvian Mastic Tree
Schinus molle var. areira (L.) DC. APNI* Synonyms: Schinus areira L. APNI*
Description: Tree to 10 m high, branchlets pendent.
Leaves 12–25 cm long; leaflets 17–35 ± alternate, terminal leaflet often reduced, lanceolate to linear, 15–50 mm long, 2–10 mm wide, apex acute and mucronate, base ± cuneate, margins ± entire, mostly glabrous; petiole 2–5 cm long, petiolules 0–1 mm long.
Inflorescences ± glabrous, shorter than the leaves; flowers c 2.5 mm long, pedicels 1–2 mm long.
Drupe ± globose, 4–6 mm diam., bluish pink to red.
Distribution and occurrence: Frequently cultivated, especially as a shade tree in inland districts, widely naturalized. Native of South America.
NSW subdivisions: *NC, *SC, *ST, *NWS, *CWS, *NFWP
Other Australian states: *N.T. *S.A. *Vic.
* *
Uncertain whether records from South Coast and North Western Plains are cultivated or naturalised. The fruits have been used as a substitute for pepper.
Text by M.J. Taylor
Taxon concept: Flora of NSW 2 (1991) as Schinus areira
APNI* Provides a link to the Australian Plant Name Index (hosted by the Australian National Botanic Gardens) for comprehensive bibliographic data
***The AVH map option provides a detailed interactive Australia wide distribution map drawn from collections held by all major Australian herbaria participating in the Australian Virtual Herbarium project.
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