General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit: Shrub
Tree
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun
Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 8b -9.4 °C (15 °F) to -6.7 °C (20 °F)
Maximum recommended zone: Zone 11
Plant Height: 25 - 30 feet
Plant Spread: 25 feet
Leaves: Evergreen
Fruit: Showy
Edible to birds
Flowers: Inconspicuous
Flower Color: White
Flower Time: Late spring or early summer
Summer
Late summer or early fall
Fall
Wildlife Attractant: Bees
Birds

Image
Common names
  • Brazilian Pepper Tree
  • Aroeira
Botanical names
  • Accepted: Schinus terebinthifolia
  • Synonym: Schinus aroeira

Photo Gallery
Location: Sebastian,  Florida
Date: 2023-09-20
Location: Sebastian,  Florida
Date: 2019-10-17
Location: Sebastian,  Florida
Date: 2019-01-04
Location: Nationale Plantentuin Meise (Botanical Garden near Brussels)
Date: 2015-03-25
Location: Botanical Garden La Concepcion - Malaga
Date: 2015-03-25
Location: Sebastian,  Florida
Date: 2019-01-04
Brazilian Pepper berries are quite attractive but unfortunately t

Date: 2011-02-04
Location: Daytona Beach, Florida
Date: 2010-12-30
Location: Sebastian,  Florida
Date: 2019-10-15
Location: Daytona Beach, Florida
Date: 2012-10-07
Location: Hidden Hills CA zone 10b
Date: 2013-06-08
A California Pepper Tree leaf is to the left for comparison
Location: Daytona Beach, Florida
Date: 2011-03-18
Location: Sebastian,  Florida
Date: 2019-10-15
Location: Sebastian,  Florida
Date: 2019-03-10
Location: Tampa FL
Date: April 2018
Seedling
Location: Daytona Beach, Florida
Date: 2013-10-04
Location: Hidden Hills CA zone 10b
Date: 2013-06-08
Location: Hidden Hills CA zone 10b
Date: 2013-06-08
Location: Daytona Beach, Florida
Date: 2010-12-30 
Alongside our property line
Location: Daytona Beach, Florida
Date: 2010-08-12 
My backyard
Photo by SongofJoy

credit: Dreamyshade

credit: João Medeiros

credit: João Medeiros

photo by Forest & Kim Starr
Comments:
  • Posted by plantladylin (Sebastian, Florida - Zone 10a) on Oct 6, 2011 12:18 PM concerning plant:
    Brazilian Pepper is native to Argentina but has become naturalized in many tropical and subtropical areas of the world. It is an extremely invasive plant, choking out native plants and trees. Brazilian Pepper is a beautiful evergreen attaining heights and spread to 30 feet with arching, crossing branches that form dense thickets. The leaves have a peppery/turpentine scent when crushed. Tiny white flowers appear summer through fall, followed by bright red drupes/berries that last all winter. Birds and other animals are fond of the fruit and disperse the seeds, which leads to the spread of this plant.
  • Posted by dyzzypyxxy (Sarasota, Fl) on Aug 28, 2014 12:23 PM concerning plant:
    A Class 1 invasive pest in Florida and Hawaii, and prohibited from sale or distribution in Texas, this is also a banned tree in Australia and South Africa. It forms dense stands and out-competes native species.

    If you are either pruning or removing Brazilian Pepper on your property, be cautious and wear protective clothing as the sap is a severe irritant to some people. Do not burn the wood or branches, as the smoke is also noxious.

    The pretty clusters of Brazilian Pepper fruit are sometimes used on holiday wreaths and other decorations. If you find yourself in possession of such a thing, dispose of the pepper seeds in the trash, enclosed in a plastic bag, and do not burn or compost them. Do not leave the decoration outdoors where birds or wildlife could eat and disperse the seeds.
  • Posted by Mindy03 (Delta KY) on May 11, 2012 6:03 PM concerning plant:
    Honey bees get nectar from this plant.
Plant Events from our members
MySecretIslandGarden On August 5, 2022 Miscellaneous Event
This "volunteer" plant appeared in one of my pots. I've been letting it grow and figured out what it is today 8/5/2022.
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