Huigen, Hardee peppertree
Schinus polygamus

Family: Anacardiaceae

What it is like

Schinus polygamus is an evergreen Shrub growing to 4.5 m (14ft 9in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year, in flower in May. 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, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Height (m): 4.5

Where it is found

Not known

S. America - C. Chile.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Fruit. Used as a flavouring.

Condiment: the various plants that are used as flavourings, either as herbs, spices or condiments.

Medicine

Rating: 1

The fruit, and a resin obtained from the fruit, is antirheumatic.

Antirheumatic: Treats rheumatism.

Other

Rating: 2

An aromatic resin is obtained from the fruit of this species, it is mainly used medicinally.

Resin: Used in perfumery, medicines, paints, soap making etc. This also includes turpentine, which is extracted from many resins and used as a preservative, water proofer etc,

How it is grown

Prefers a well-drained soil, succeeding in a hot dry position. It requires a sunny position in a poor rather than rich soil. Plants are very variable in their cold tolerance depending on their provenance, most forms are not very hardy outdoors in Britain but selected forms succeed when grown against a sunny wall. A plant growing in a fairly sunny position, but under quite dense tree cover, at Hilliers Arboretum in Hampshire is thriving and had set a large crop of fruit in September 1996. Plants are intolerant of root disturbance. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

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; Shady Edge;

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 7-10

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

S. bonplandianus. S. dependens. Amyris polygama.