Brazilian peppertree facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Brazilian peppertree
Scientific classification
Genus:	Schinus
Species:	terebinthifolia

The Schinus terebinthifolia, often called the Brazilian peppertree, is a type of flowering plant that belongs to the cashew family. It originally comes from warm, wet parts of South America, like Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. People also know it by other names, such as rose pepper or Christmasberry tree, because of its bright red berries.

What it Looks Like

The Brazilian peppertree can be a spreading shrub or a small tree. It usually grows to be about 7 to 10 meters (23 to 33 feet) tall. It has roots that don't go very deep into the ground. Its branches can grow in different ways, sometimes straight up, sometimes leaning, or even like a vine. This helps it grow well in many places, from sandy dunes to wet swamps.

Its leaves are arranged in an alternate pattern along the stem. They are long, about 10 to 22 centimeters (4 to 8.5 inches), and made up of smaller leaflets. There are usually 5 to 15 leaflets on each leaf. These leaflets are shaped like an oval, about 3 to 6 centimeters long, with slightly toothed edges.

This plant is dioecious, which means it has separate male and female plants. Both types of plants produce many small white flowers in clusters. The fruit is a small, round berry called a drupe, about 4 to 5 millimeters wide. These berries grow in dense clusters of hundreds.

There are two main types, or varieties, of Brazilian peppertree:

• S. terebinthifolia var. acutifolia: This type has leaves up to 22 centimeters long with 7 to 15 leaflets. Its fruit is pink.
• S. terebinthifolia var. terebinthifolia: This type has leaves up to 17 centimeters long with 5 to 13 leaflets. Its fruit is red.

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  Leaves
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  Flowers
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  Stem
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  Dried berries

Where it Grows

The Brazilian peppertree is native to Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. However, it has been brought to other parts of the world. In the United States, you can find it in California, Texas, Hawaii, Arizona, Nevada, Louisiana, and Florida.

Uses and Problems

People often grow Brazilian peppertree as an ornamental plant in warm areas of South America because of its pretty leaves and fruit. In its native home, its flowers provide a lot of nectar for bees, especially for a type of stingless bee called Tetragonisca angustula, which makes a lot of honey.

Even though it's not a true pepper plant (like Piper), its dried berries are often sold as pink peppercorns. These are also sold from a similar plant called Schinus molle (Peruvian peppertree). The seeds of the Brazilian peppertree can be used as a spice, giving food a taste similar to black pepper. They are usually sold dry and have a bright pink color. Sometimes, they are sold pickled in salty water, where they look dull and greenish.

Outside of its native region, the Brazilian peppertree was first planted for decoration. But it has become an invasive species in many warm, rainy places. This means it spreads quickly and takes over areas, harming native plants. It's a problem in parts of Australia, Hawaii, Florida, and many other islands and countries. In drier places, like Israel, it doesn't spread as much.

It's hard to get rid of Brazilian peppertree because if you cut down the trunk, new shoots can grow from the base. The trees also produce many seeds that are carried by birds and ants, helping them spread far and wide. While this toughness makes it useful for replanting forests in its native areas, it also makes it a strong invader elsewhere.

Safety Concerns

Like many plants in the Anacardiaceae family (which includes poison ivy), the Brazilian peppertree has a sap that can cause skin reactions in some people. This reaction is similar to a poison ivy rash, but usually not as strong. Touching the sap from a cut or bruised tree can cause a rash, itching, and swelling, especially around the eyes.

It's also important to know that burning parts of the plant can release things into the air that irritate people. It's advised not to burn it because it can have a "mace-like" effect on those nearby. The berries, if eaten, can also cause stomach upset, vomiting, and diarrhea.

History in Florida

The Brazilian peppertree, also known as "Florida holly," was brought to Florida by at least 1891. It has spread very quickly there since about 1940. It takes over areas where native plants, like mangroves, used to grow. This tree is very good at growing in places that have been disturbed, and it can live in both wet and dry conditions. It grows in a way that allows it to climb over smaller trees and form thick patches that block out most other plants.

Controlling the Plant

Because it's an invasive pest, the Brazilian peppertree and its seeds are not allowed to be sold, moved, or planted in Florida. It's considered a serious pest by environmental groups there. To stop it from spreading and harming native plants, local rules often require people to remove it. It's also illegal to sell or move this plant in Texas.

Scientists are studying ways to use natural enemies (like insects) to help control the Brazilian peppertree in Florida.

In Australia, it's considered a declared weed in several states. In South Africa, it's also classified as an invasive plant, and in some areas, it must be removed and destroyed.

To get rid of Brazilian peppertree, two main herbicides are approved for use in the United States: Triclopyr and glyphosate. These chemicals help to kill the plant.

Two types of tiny insects called psyllids, Calophya terebinthifolii and Calophya lutea, are being looked at for use in Florida. These insects specifically target the Brazilian peppertree, making them good candidates for biological control.

Traditional Uses

The Brazilian peppertree has a long history of use in folk medicine where it grows naturally. Almost every part of this tree, including its leaves, bark, fruit, seeds, and sap, has been used by local people for medicine. It even appears in ancient religious items from some old Chilean Amerindian groups.

In South and Central America, people say the Brazilian peppertree can help with many things. It's used as an astringent (to tighten tissues), an antibacterial (to fight germs), a diuretic (to help the body get rid of water), and to help with digestion. In Peru, the sap is used as a mild laxative and to help with urination. The whole plant is used on the skin for broken bones and as a germ-killer. The sap is also used on wounds to help them heal, to stop bleeding, and for toothaches. It's taken internally for joint pain and as a strong laxative.

In South Africa, a tea made from the leaves is used for colds. In the Brazilian Amazon, a tea from the bark is used as a laxative, and a tea from the bark and leaves is used to make people feel more energetic and less sad. In Argentina, a tea from the dried leaves is taken for period problems, and also for infections in the breathing and urinary systems.

Even today, the Brazilian peppertree is still used in herbal medicine in many countries. It's used for conditions like period problems, bronchitis, gum disease, gout, eye infections, joint pain, sores, swelling, tuberculosis, ulcers, and warts. In Brazilian herbal medicine, the dried bark or leaves are used for heart problems (like high blood pressure and irregular heartbeat), all kinds of infections, heavy bleeding during periods, tumors, and general swelling. A liquid extract made from the bark is used to make people feel more energetic, as a tonic, and to tighten tissues. It's also used on the skin for joint pain and gout.

Recently, scientists have studied the fruit of the plant and found it might help treat a serious type of bacteria called MRSA. A chemical in the berry seems to stop the bacteria from making a toxin that breaks down body tissue. It also appears to stop the bacteria from communicating with each other.

See also

In Spanish: Pimentero brasileño para niños