TreeRM

Brazilian pepper

Schinus terebinthifolia · Anacardiaceae · also Brazilian peppertree, Broad-leaved pepper tree, Christmas berry, Aroeira, Florida holly

A dense, multi-stemmed evergreen shrub or small tree of 3 to 10 m (rarely 15 m) with glossy aromatic compound leaves and bright red berries at Christmas that birds spread. In Brazil it is a common, useful native (aroeira) and the source of pink peppercorns. Elsewhere it is a notorious invader: Florida's most widespread invasive plant (Category I and on the state Noxious Weed List), a regional priority weed in New South Wales, listed under South Africa's NEMBA and a High Risk species in Hawaii. Its sap contains urushiol-like compounds that cause rashes and breathing problems.

Broadleaf evergreenFast growingSun or part shadeLow water
Brazilian pepper
Wikimedia Commons, file Aroeira-vermelha_(Schinus_terebinthifolia)_em_Bagé,_RS,_Brasil._Apresenta_diversos_nomes_tupis_pouco_usados._-_55294784814.jpg (see file page for author and licence)

Where it stands

Native

This tree evolved here, and local wildlife depends on it.

Adapted

Introduced, but it handles this climate and has not shown a habit of spreading.

  • 🇺🇸 CA, United States · Introduced per WCVPsource

Invasive

It escapes into natural areas and displaces native plants. Check your state's list before buying one.

  • 🇦🇺 NSW, Australia · Regional Priority Weed: Eradication in the Hunter, Containment on the North Coast (exclusion zone in Bellingen, Clarence Valley, Nambucca, Port Macquarie-Hastings; core infestation in Tweed, Byron, Lismore, Ballina and others); should not be sold in parts of NSWsource
  • 🇲🇺 Mauritius · Introduced per WCVP; invasive on Indian Ocean islandssource
  • 🇺🇸 HI, United States · Introduced and invasive per WCVP; HPWRA High Risksource
  • 🇺🇸 TX, United States · Introduced per WCVP; invasive on the Gulf coastsource
  • 🇿🇦 South Africa · NEMBA 2020: Category 3 in Free State, Gauteng, North West, Northern Cape and Western Capesource

Prohibited

Selling or planting it is banned here.

  • 🇺🇸 FL, United States · On the Florida Noxious Weed List (Rule 5B-57; nursery sales prohibited, movement regulated) and the Prohibited Aquatic Plant List; FISC Category I; UF/IFAS Assessment: invasivesource

Care

Do not plant outside its native range. Control seedlings before they fruit at about three years; cut large plants and treat stumps or inject stems, wearing gloves and long sleeves against the sap, and follow up on regrowth. In Florida a biocontrol thrips (Pseudophilothrips ichini) has been released since 2019. Only female plants fruit.

Benefits

BirdsDrought tolerantPollinatorsFast canopy

Good for

HedgerowScreening

Watch out for

Invasive elsewhereToxic partsAllergenic pollenMessy fruit