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Schinus

Family

Anacardiaceae

Under cultivation in the open air, only one, or at most two, species of this genus are sufficiently hardy to thrive. These are evergreen shrubs, with the shoots often becoming spine-tipped, and the leaves alternate. Flowers very small and numerous on short racemes, yellowish or white. Fruit a round, one-seeded drupe. The genus is most nearly allied to Pistacia and Rhus. The species described below were long called Duvaua, being distinguished from Schinus proper by the simple leaves. S. molle, the so-called “pepper tree,” is very extensively cultivated in S. France, Italy, etc., where its much divided, pinnate leaves and drooping branches make it a singularly graceful tree, laden in autumn with beautiful clusters of red berries about the size of small peas. It is not hardy with us. Native of S. America.

The two following species do not require a rich soil, making shorter, hardier growth, and flowering better where it is rather poor. They do not transplant well. Propagated by cuttings made in August, and placed in gentle heat.

Species articles