Brazilian peppertree USDA PLANTS Symbol: SCTE
U.S. Nativity: Exotic
Habit: Hardwood Trees Shrub or Subshrub
Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi
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Taxonomic Rank: Magnoliopsida: Sapindales: Anacardiaceae
Synonym(s): Christmas berry, Florida holly,Brazillian pepper, schinus
Native Range: Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay ()
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
EDDMapS Distribution:
This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts and records obtained from USDA Plants Database. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org 		 


State List
This map identifies those states that list this species on their invasive species list or law.
U.S. National Parks where reported invasive:
Big Cypress National Preserve (Florida)
Everglades National Park (Florida)
Haleakala National Park (Hawaii)


Invasive Listing Sources: