Common name: Brazilian Pepper Tree, Christmas Berry Tree
Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi APNI* Synonyms: Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi APNI*
Description: Shrub or small tree to 7 m high.
Leaves pinnate with 3–9 leaflets (mostly 5–9), the rachis slightly winged; leaflets opposite, sessile, elliptic, 3–8 cm long, 1–2.5 cm wide; apex obtuse to acute and minutely apiculate, base obtuse to acute, or attenuate in terminal leaflet; terminal leaflet slightly larger than others.
Inflorescence terminal or in upper leaf axils, 5–11 cm long. Petals ovate, c. 2 mm long, white.
Drupe spherical, 4–5 mm diameter, red, glossy.
Distribution and occurrence: Naturalised, or in the process of naturalising, in several localities on the north coast of NSW, including Cape Byron, Mullumbimby, Ballina, Coffs Harbour and Broken Head. Has potential to become a serious environmental weed.
NSW subdivisions: *NC, *CC
Other Australian states: *Qld *W.A.
*
Schinus has been determined to be feminine [see Zona, S. (2015), The correct gender of Schinus (Anacardiaceae). Phytotaxa 222(1): 76], and so S. terebinthifolia is the correct name, and S. terebinthifolius is an orth. var. K.L.Gibbons 1 November 2021.
Text by D.M. Crayn
Taxon concept: P.S. Green
APNI* Provides a link to the Australian Plant Name Index (hosted by the Australian National Botanic Gardens) for comprehensive bibliographic data
***The AVH map option provides a detailed interactive Australia wide distribution map drawn from collections held by all major Australian herbaria participating in the Australian Virtual Herbarium project.
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