American pepper facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Peruvian pepper |
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S. molle
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| Schinus molle |
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The Schinus molle is a type of evergreen tree often called the Peruvian pepper tree. It can grow up to 15 meters (50 feet) tall. This tree is originally from the Peruvian Andes mountains. Its bright pink fruits are often sold as "pink peppercorns." However, it's important to know that S. molle is not related to true pepper (Piper nigrum). The word molle in its name comes from mulli. This is the Quechua word for the tree. This tree is also home to a special insect, the pepper-tree moth, Bombycomorpha bifascia.
Contents
Description
The Schinus molle is a fast-growing evergreen tree. It can reach up to 15 meters (50 feet) in both height and width. This makes it the largest of all Schinus trees. It might also live the longest among them. The upper branches of the tree often hang downwards.
Its leaves are called pinnately compound. This means each leaf is made up of many smaller leaflets. These leaves are usually 8–25 cm long and 4–9 cm wide. They have between 19 and 41 leaflets arranged alternately along the stem.
Male and female flowers grow on separate trees. This is called being dioecious. The flowers are small and white. They grow in large groups called panicles at the ends of the drooping branches. The tree produces many flowers.
The fruits are small and round, about 5–7 mm across. They are a type of drupe, which means they have a fleshy outer part and a hard seed inside. The fruits start green and then turn red, pink, or purplish. They grow in thick clusters of hundreds of berries. You can find these berries on the tree all year round.
The tree's bark is rough and grayish. It often looks twisted and can drip sap. The bark, leaves, and berries all have a strong smell when you crush them.
Distribution
The Schinus molle tree naturally grows in dry areas of northern South America. This includes Peru's Andean deserts. It also grows in central Argentina and central Chile.
However, this tree has spread widely around the world. People planted it for its strong wood, which was used for saddles. It was also planted as an ornamental tree and for its spice-like berries.
S. molle is a tough evergreen tree. It can handle dry weather and lives a long time. Because of this, it has become a serious invasive plant in many places. An invasive plant is one that grows where it's not native and can cause problems for local plants.
For example, in South Africa, S. molle has taken over grasslands and savannas. It grows along rivers and roads in dry areas. It is also invasive in much of Australia. There, it grows in grasslands, dry forests, coastal areas, and even near old railway lines and farms. In the United States, S. molle or its close relative Schinus terebinthifolius is very invasive in Florida and Hawaii. It can also crowd out native plants in southern Arizona, southern California, Texas, Louisiana, and Puerto Rico.
Uses
Culinary
The pink or red berries of Schinus molle are sold as pink peppercorns. They are often mixed with regular black pepper. But remember, they are not related to true pepper (Piper nigrum).
It's important to know that the fruit and leaves can make some animals, like poultry and pigs, feel unwell. There are also reports of young children having upset stomachs after eating the fruit. Because of this, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not list Schinus molle as "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS) for food.
However, extracts from S. molle have been used to add flavor to drinks and syrups.
Medicinal
In traditional medicine, people used S. molle to treat different wounds and infections. This is because it has properties that can fight bacteria and act as an antiseptic. It has also been used to help with sadness, as a diuretic (to help the body get rid of extra water), and for toothaches, joint pain (rheumatism), and menstrual problems. Recent studies on mice suggest it might have effects that help with sadness.
Some people also think that S. molle could be used to control pests. This is because it has properties that can kill insects. It might be a natural choice instead of man-made chemicals.
In some traditional ceremonies in Mesoamerica, fresh green leaves of S. molle are used for cleansings and blessings.
Other uses
The leaves of the Schinus molle are also used to naturally dye fabrics in the Andean region. People have been doing this since before Christopher Columbus arrived. The ancient Incas used the oil from its leaves. They used it in early mummification practices to help preserve and embalm their dead.
Historical Use
The Incas used the sweet outer part of the ripe fruit to make a drink. They carefully rubbed the berries to avoid mixing them with the bitter inner parts. Then, they strained the mixture and let it sit for a few days to make the drink. They also boiled the fruit down to make a syrup. Sometimes, they mixed it with corn to make a healthy porridge.
Archaeologists have found a lot of proof that the fruits of S. molle were widely used in the central Andes between 550 and 1000 AD. People used them to make chicha, which is a fermented alcoholic drink.
Cultivation
The Schinus molle tree can grow from seeds, suckers (new shoots from the roots), and cuttings. The seeds have a very hard outer shell. They grow much better after they have passed through the digestive system of birds or other animals.
Seeds usually sprout in the spring. The young plants grow slowly at first until they are strong. The seeds can easily sprout by the hundreds under the parent tree, in the fallen leaves. These young plants can also be easily moved to a new spot.
Images for kids
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Distinctive bark
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Pink Peppercorns - Schinus molle
See also
In Spanish: Schinus molle para niños
