Schinus terebinthifolius (Brazilian peppertree)

Schinus terebinthifolius

Photo courtesy Joseph DiTomaso

Schinus terebinthifolius (Brazilian peppertree) is an evergreen shrub or tree found along portions of the southern coast of California. Brazilian peppertree prefers riparian areas, canyons, fields and roadsides where some water is available throughout the year. Its pink fruits are sold as peppercorns, but they may be toxic to humans and animals if too many are eaten. In California, Brazilian peppertree is not yet a very large problem, but is has been a very aggressive invader in tropical areas like Hawaii and Florida. In order to control peppertree infestations, tree roots must be removed or killed, and seedlings must be controlled by hand-pulling for at least three years.

Cal-IPC Inventory rating: Limited

Cal-IPC Resources on Schinus terebinthifolius

• California Invasive Plant Inventory Assessment Form (pdf) - Information gathered by Cal-IPC on the impacts, rate of spread, and distribution of invasive plants in California. Does not include management information.
• Cal-IPC News - Articles from our quarterly newsletter. Each issue is available as a pdf. List of articles on Schinus terebinthifolius.
• Cal-IPC Symposium Proceedings - Presentations and papers from our annual Symposium. List of articles on Schinus terebinthifolius.
• Don't Plant a Pest! - Select your region to find non-invasive alternatives to ornamental species. Also see our statewide brochure on trees.

Cal-IPC News Articles

• Bell, C. E., M. Evans, et al. (2000). Exotic pest plants, Calif. Assoc. of Nurserymen, and CalEPPC. CalEPPC News. 9: 9-10.
• Burkhart, B. and M. Kelly (2005). Which weeds dominate southern California urban riparian systems? Cal-IPC News. 13: 4-5,12.
• Connick, S. and M. Gerel (2005). Don't sell a pest: A new partnership to prevent plant invasions through horticulture. Cal-IPC News. 13: 4-5,14.
• Kelly, M. (1997). Lessons from the front: Taking stock to avoid surprises. CalEPPC NEWS. 5: 4-7.
• Kelly, M. (2000). Education: Wildland weed tours and talks. CalEPPC News. 8: 3-4.
• Schneider, D. (1994). Slow-motion explosion: The exponential spread of exotic species. CalEPPC News. 2:

Cal-IPC Symposium Proceedings

• Connick, S. and M. Gerel (2004). Partnering to prevent invasions of plants of horticultural origin. California Invasive Plant Council Symposium 2004. Ventura, CA.

Other Resources on Schinus terebinthifolius

• USDA PLANTS database - Federal database with information on identification and distribution, and links to websites in individual states.
• Jepson Online Interchange for California Flora - Information on taxonomy, biology, and distribution from the UC Berkeley Jepson Herbarium.
• CalFlora - Distribution information by county based on submitted observations and herbarium specimens.
• The Nature Conservancy Management Summary - Information compiled by TNC land managers. Photos included for some species.
• CalPhotos - Images of plants taken mostly in California.
• Natural Resource Projects Inventory - State database with information on resource management projects throughout California. Query by the species of interest.

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