California Peppertree, Peruvian peppertree
Schinus molle
Family: Anacardiaceae
What it is like
Bloom Color: White, Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early fall, Late fall, Mid fall. Form: Rounded.
Schinus molle is an evergreen Tree growing to 8 m (26ft) by 8 m (26ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in leaf all year, in flower from April to June. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). . The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.
Height (m): 8
Where it is found
Dry regions in the Andes, it is found as a bush in dry lands but reaches tree size in dry river beds with accessible underground water.
Southern and western S. America - Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador.
Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed
Countries/locations it is found in
Peru, Africa, Algeria, Andes, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Botswana, Brazil*, Bolivia, Canada, Central America, Chile, Colombia, East Africa, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Europe, France, Gambia, Greece, Hawaii, India, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Libya, Malawi, Mediterranean, Mexico, North Africa, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru*, Portugal, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, Tanzania, Tasmania, Uganda, Uruguay, Turkey, USA, Venezuela, West Africa, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe,
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
The dried and roasted berries are used as a pepper substitute. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. An (essential?) oil distilled from the fruit is used as a spice in baked goods and candy. The fruits are pulverised and used in cooling drinks called 'horchatas' in S. America. A wine is made from the twigs and another from the berries. A gum that exudes from the bark is used for chewing.
Inner bark: the bark that is found just beneath the tough outer bark of trees and shrubs.
Oil: Oil
Stem: this often intergrades into leaves.
Condiment: the various plants that are used as flavourings, either as herbs, spices or condiments.
Drink: not including plant saps, tea or coffee substitutes.
Gum: can be chewed as a chewing gum or can often be used as a sweetener or thickening agent in foods.
Medicine
Rating: 1
A resinous gum obtained from the bark has been used in folk medicine to treat digestive disorders. A purgative known as 'American Mastic' is obtained from the tree. This report is probably linked to the one above.
Antiemetic: Prevents vomiting.
Antirheumatic: Treats rheumatism.
Appetizer: Improves the appetite
Digestive: Aids digestion.
Miscellany: Various medicinal actions that need more clarification.
Purgative: A drastic laxative causing a cleansing or watery evacuation of the bowels, usually with a griping pain.
Other
Rating: 4
An oil from the leaves reduces the surface tension of water.
Gum: Gums have a wide range of uses, especially as stabilizers, emulsifiers, thickening agents, adhesives etc.
Miscellany: A rag-bag of items that are difficult to categorise.
Oil: Vegetable oils have many uses, as lubricants, lighting, soap and paint making, waterproofing etc. This does not include the edible oils unless they are also mentioned as having other uses.
Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent
How it is grown
Landscape Uses:Specimen. Prefers a well-drained soil in full sun. It likes growing in sandy soils and succeeds in a hot dry position. A fast-growing tree in its native habitat, though it is likely to be much slower in areas where it is marginally hardy. This species is not very hardy outdoors in Britain, though it can succeed when grown against a sunny wall in the milder areas of the country. The oily leaves smell and taste of pepper when they are crushed. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. Special Features: Not North American native, Naturalizing, Attractive flowers or blooms.
Propagating it: Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed in a warm greenhouse in mid spring. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter before planting out in early summer. Cuttings of almost ripe wood, 8cm with a heel, August to early September in a frame. Fair to good percentage.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.
Habit: Tree
Hardiness: 8-12
Growth: Fast
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Dry, moist
Things to keep in mind
The seed contains an allergenic substance that can irritate the mucus membrane.
Its other names
Local names
Peruvian Peppertree, California Pepper, Peppercorn, Peruvian Mastic Tree, Aguaribay, Brazilian mastic tree, Californian pepper, Hucchu menasina mara, Mirimiri, Mpilipili, Muelle, Mugaita, Mulli, Peperboom, Pepper tree, Peppercorn, Pimiento Falso, Pink peppercorns, Pirul, Qundo, aguaribai, aguaribay, anacahuita, aroeira-do-amazonas, aroeira-folha-de-salso, aroeiro-mole, baie rose, california pepper tree, california pepper-tree, california peppertree, californian pepper tree, chichita péndula, chichita sauce, corneiva, curanguay, false pepper tree, falso pimentero, faux poivrier, ipepile, molle, molée des jardins, mulli, pepper tree, pepper-tree, peppercorn, peppertree, peruvian mastic tree, peruvian mastic-tree, peruvian pepper tree, peruvian peppertree, peruvian-mastictree, pfefferbaum, pimenteira-do-peru, pimentero, pimientero falso, pirul, schinus molle, umngcunube, árbol de la pimienta.