Schinus molle L.   Anacardiaceae (Sumac Family)   South America   California Pepper Tree   Peruvian Pepper Tree

                                            September Photo

Plant Characteristics:  Dioecious evergreen tree, 5-15 m. high, with slender pendulous twigs; lvs. 2-3 dm. long, alternate, odd-pinnate, long, pendulous, with numerous lance-linear lfts. 3-6 cm. long; fls. in bracteate panicles, small, whitish; calyx short, 5-parted; petals 5, imbricated; fr. reddish, 6-8 mm. in diam.

Habitat:  Commonly cult. in Calif., frequently becomes natur., especially in canyons.  No bloom dates are printed in the text references.  Blooms have been photographed in June and August.

Name:  Greek, schinus, the mastic tree.  Peruvian, molle, name for the pepper tree.  (Jaeger 157, 231).

General:  Uncommon in the study area, having been found only in the Santa Ana Heights flats and along the Delhi Ditch.  Photographed specimen is from  Santa Ana Heights.  (my comments).     Schinus species have been known to cause hay fever and asthma, also dermatitis.  (Fuller 369,379).      About 15 species, mostly from South America.  (Munz, Flora So. Calif. 66).

Text Ref:  Hickman, Ed. 136; Munz, Calif. Flora 997; Munz, Flora So. Calif. 66; Roberts 7.

Photo Ref:  June 6 83 # 8; Sept 1 83 # 13; Aug 1 85 # 8.

Identity: by R. De Ruff.

First Found:  June 1983.

Computer Ref:  Plant Data 130.

No plant specimen.

Last edit 6/12/05.  

                                June Photo                                                                       August Photo