Brazilian Pepper
Schinus terebinthifolius
NEMBA category
English: Brazilian Pepper, Christmas Berry, Florida Holly, Brazilian Peppertree
Afrikaans: Brasiliaanse Peperboom, Kersbessie
Historical scientific names: Schinus raddiana
Misapplied scientific names: Piper nigrum, Searsia pyroides
Schinus terebinthifolius, commonly known as Brazilian Pepper, is a dense, multi-stemmed, evergreen shrub or small tree. It has distinctive compound leaves with a slightly winged central stalk (midrib), and the leaves themselves often have a peppery scent when crushed. In late spring to summer, it produces clusters of small, white flowers, followed by abundant, glossy, bright red, berry-like fruits that persist on the tree through autumn and winter, giving it a festive appearance.
This plant is a highly invasive species in South Africa, particularly in coastal areas, wetlands, and disturbed sites, forming dense, impenetrable thickets that displace indigenous vegetation. Its sap, pollen, and berries can also cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
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Origin:
Native to subtropical and tropical South America, specifically southeastern Brazil, northern Argentina, and Paraguay.
Distinguishing features:
Compound leaves with winged midribs: Leaves are typically 10-25 cm long, composed of 3-13 (often 5-9) oval to elliptical leaflets, with a noticeable flattened "wing" along the central stalk connecting the leaflets.
Abundant bright red berries in clusters: Produces very dense clusters of small (4-6 mm diameter), glossy, bright red, round fruits that persist for many months.
Often multi-stemmed and dense: Grows into a dense, bushy shrub or small tree, often with multiple stems from the base, forming impenetrable thickets.
Peppery scent: Leaves, when crushed, emit a distinct peppery or resinous scent.
Bark often exudes a clear sap: The bark can exude a sticky, resinous sap when damaged.
Overall appearance:
A dense, sprawling evergreen shrub or small tree, often multi-stemmed, with a somewhat rounded or irregular crown. It is highly recognisable by its dark green, winged leaves and spectacular displays of bright red berries.
Height:
Typically grows 3 to 10 metres tall, but can sometimes reach up to 15 metres.
Width:
Can spread 5 to 10 metres wide, forming extensive, dense stands.
Leaves:
Evergreen, alternate, and pinnately compound (feathery), 10 to 25 centimetres long. Each leaf typically has 3 to 13 (usually 5 to 9) oval to oblong leaflets, 2 to 6 centimetres long, with finely toothed or entire margins. A key identifying feature is the presence of a flattened, often broad, "wing" along the central stalk (rachis) between the leaflets. The leaves have a peppery or turpentine-like scent when crushed.
Flowers:
Small, inconspicuous, creamy-white to yellowish-white, five-petalled flowers, borne in dense, branched clusters (panicles) at the ends of branches or in leaf axils. The flowers are typically unisexual (male and female flowers on different plants or sometimes mixed on the same plant), but many cultivated forms are capable of self-pollination.
Flowering season (South Africa):
Late spring to early summer (typically September to December).
Fruits:
Small, round, glossy, bright red, berry-like drupes (like miniature peppers), 4 to 6 millimetres in diameter. They are produced in extremely dense, showy clusters and ripen in autumn, persisting on the tree through winter. Each fruit contains a single seed.
Seeds:
Small, hard, dark brown to blackish seeds, about 2-3 millimetres in diameter, enclosed within the fleshy red fruit. They are dispersed by birds and other animals.
Bark:
On young stems, the bark is smooth and greenish. On older stems and trunks, it becomes grey-brown, somewhat rough, furrowed, and often exfoliates in flakes or strips, revealing reddish inner bark.
Thorns:
This species does not have thorns.
Wood:
The wood is somewhat brittle, reddish, and has a strong, pungent odour. Not typically used for high-quality timber.
Roots:
Develops a shallow, spreading, and aggressive root system that contributes to its ability to form dense thickets and outcompete other vegetation.
Soil type:
Highly adaptable to a wide range of soil types, including poor, sandy, clay, and even saline (salty) soils. It thrives in well-drained conditions but can tolerate some waterlogging. It is particularly successful in disturbed and degraded areas.
Aspect:
Prefers full sun for optimal growth and fruit production, but can tolerate partial shade. It is highly tolerant of drought, heat, wind, and saline conditions, making it particularly problematic in coastal and subtropical areas.
Edibility:
The berries are sometimes used as a "pink peppercorn" spice, but they are not true peppercorns and can cause mild digestive upset in large quantities for some individuals. Allergic reactions are also possible.
Toxicity:
All parts of the plant (sap, leaves, pollen, berries) contain allergenic compounds similar to those found in Poison Ivy and Poison Oak (Toxicodendron species), as they belong to the same plant family (Anacardiaceae). Contact with sap can cause severe skin rashes (dermatitis) in sensitive individuals. Inhalation of pollen or fumes from burning the plant can cause respiratory problems. Ingestion of berries can cause mild gastrointestinal upset.
Uses:
Primarily planted as an ornamental tree for its attractive foliage and abundant red berries, especially popular for landscaping in subtropical and coastal regions. Its wood is sometimes used for small carvings or firewood, and its berries are occasionally used as a spice (pink peppercorns), though with caution due to potential toxicity/allergy.
Ecology:
As an alien invasive plant in South Africa, Schinus terebinthifolius is an extremely aggressive threat, particularly in coastal areas, estuaries, wetlands, and disturbed sites. It forms dense, impenetrable monocultures that completely outcompete and displace indigenous vegetation, drastically reducing biodiversity and altering natural habitats. Its prolific fruit production and the fact that its berries are highly attractive to birds (e.g., starlings, bulbuls) lead to widespread seed dispersal. It can also spread by root suckering. Its allergenic properties pose a health risk to humans and animals. It changes the physical structure of habitats and can alter water regimes in wetlands.
Distribution and habitat:
Widely cultivated and extensively naturalised and highly invasive throughout the warmer, wetter, and coastal regions of South Africa. It is a major problem in the Eastern Cape (very common along the coast, estuaries, and roadsides around Kenton-on-Sea, especially in coastal bush, dune forests, and wetlands), KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Western Cape (especially coastal areas), and parts of Gauteng. It invades coastal forests, dunes, estuaries, wetlands, riparian zones, grasslands, savannas, roadsides, and disturbed areas.
Derivation of name:
The genus name Schinus comes from the Greek word 'schinos', referring to the mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus), which has resinous sap similar to this plant.
The species epithet terebinthifolius is derived from the Greek 'terebinthus' (referring to the terebinth tree, Pistacia terebinthus) and Latin 'folius' (leaf), meaning "with leaves like a terebinth," referencing its pinnately compound leaves.
"Brazilian Pepper" refers to its origin and the peppery taste of its berries.
Historical aspects:
Brazilian Pepper was introduced to South Africa as an ornamental garden plant, valued for its attractive foliage, fast growth, and abundant red berries, particularly suitable for subtropical climates. Its hardiness, prolific fruit production, and efficient seed dispersal by birds, combined with its ability to thrive in a wide range of disturbed and coastal environments, led to its rapid escape from cultivation. It has since become one of the most widespread and problematic invaders, causing significant ecological damage and health concerns across the country.
Interesting facts:
This plant is like a Christmas tree all year round, especially in autumn and winter, when it's absolutely covered in bright red, shiny berries!
Watch out, though! Touching its sap, or even sometimes its leaves and berries, can give some people an itchy rash, kind of like poison ivy!
It's called "Brazilian Pepper," but it's not a real pepper – so don't try to grind its berries over your food like you would with black pepper, as they can upset your tummy!
Birds absolutely love these red berries, making them super effective at spreading the plant's seeds far and wide across the landscape!
Friendly alternatives:
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