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Schinus molle
Schinus is a genus of flowering trees and tall shrubs in the sumac family (Anacardiaceae). Members of the genus are commonly known as pepper trees. The Peruvian Pepper Tree (Schinus molle) is the source of the spice known as pink peppercorns but can become serious invasive species outside their natural habitats.
Schinus Molle is not native to California, or any part of North America. The species originates from South America (Peru and Brazil) and was brought to California by the Spanish missionaries. During the 16th century, pepper was considered more valuable than gold. Romans brought pepper to Europe and the world was forever changed; Christopher Columbus would set out in a race with Vasco de Gama to the Malabar Coast of India for it, stumbling upon a "New World"—and a new source of pepper—in the process. Spanish sailors stuffed their shirt sleeves, pockets, and pant cuffs with the pink fruits, smuggling seeds of Schinus Molle home and abroad with them.
The plant did well in the arid climate of Alta California, and soon the missions began cultivating the trees for shade, and using the pepper in seasoning and for export. Schinus Molle proved to be drought, fire, frost, and pest resistant—enabling the species to survive and thrive in our soil for more than 400 years.
Schinus Molle is also not a source of "true" pink peppercorns. "True" pink peppercorns come from species of the Piperaceae family. Schinus is from the family Anacardiaceae, or cashew trees. Schinus Molle's fruits are called "false pink peppercorns" by anyone who knows better. Which is not to say we pepper fans don't eat them; "false pinks" are commonly mixed with "true pinks" and peppercorns of other colors by modern spice companies. Brazil is the largest exporter of pink peppercorns today. (The U.S. is the largest importer of black peppercorns, interestingly enough!)
In addition, Schinus Molle is one of the most invasive plants ever seen in California history and has wreaked havoc on our native ecosystems since its arrival. Its distribution increased exponentially as animals transported the seeds off mission lands and into the wild, where they germinated and took root. Schinus is a rapidly-growing tree, and dense patches of them soon displaced native plants across Southern California. Schinus has a root-suckering system which allows the plant to survive, even if the entire main tree is cut (or burned) down to the ground. Both the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the California Invasive Plant Council (IPC) warn citizens against planting any members of the Schinus species because of the negative impact these plants can have (and have had) on the surrounding habitat.
Known As
The Peppercorn Tree
American Pepper
Peruvian Peppertree
Escobilla Molle
Del Peru Pepper Tree
False Pepper - called this as the real peppercorns come from the plant Piper nigrum - a perennial climbing vine of the family Piperaceae, and is indigenous to the Malabar Coast of India.
The Plant Family
Kingdom - Plantae
Plants Subkingdom - Tracheobionta
Vascular Plants Superdivision - Spermatophyta
Seed Plants Division - Magnoliophyta
Flowering Plants Class - Magnoliopsida Dicotyledons
Subclass - Rosidae
Order - Sapindales
Family - Anacardiaceae Sumac
Genus - Schinus L. – Peppertree
Species - Schinus molle L. – Peruvian Peppertree
Growing Notes
The Peppercorn Tree is a large spreading tree growing to a height of 33 feet. It has drooping fern-like leaves with many leaflets which are aromatic when crushed. The flowers hang in clusters with male and female flowers on separate plants.
The flowers on the female trees develop into pink/red berries with a hard stone. The seed is very hard and germinates best when passed through the guts of birds.
A large number of seeds are then stored in the soil awaiting germination.
Many Peppercorn Trees end up falling down when they become older and hollow inside or are attacked by termites.
Mature trees are resistant to fire and drought and are able to sprout from the rootstock if damaged.
The Cache
The cache is a camouflaged pill bottle placed in or around a Schinus molle. There is no need to cross any train tracks. The coordinates should be accurate; however there are trees and power lines nearby. I did the coordinates with my phone's GPS and double checked with Google Earth, so if they are off, please send me an e-mail and I will be happy to correct. There is a place to pull in and park, however please be aware that there is not parking on the street. Please bring your own writing utensil. Please replace the cache as you found it.
Sources:
Thanks to the sources that I have blatantly copied and pasted from. :) I was just going to name this cache with a clever pepper theme (maybe another time?), but then spent an hour learning about it and decided to dedicate this cache to sharing what I learned. I hope you enjoyed learning about the pepper tree like I did and have fun finding the cache!
http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=09bc1f3d-0409-4388-b793-f384c0c76e20
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/aa219
http://blog.wellsfargo.com/guidedbyhistory/2012/02/the_true_life_of_schinus_molle.html
Congrats to Retrofit on the FTF!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Flabalzf sbe gur cynpr jurer gur pnpur vf: ncregher, oernpu, oernx, oheebj, pnir, pnirea, pnivgl, punzore, punfz, puvax, pvfgrea, pyrsg, pbireg, penpx, penaal, pengre, phg, qra, qrag, qrcerffvba, qvzcyr, qvc, rkpningvba, rlryrg, svffher, sbenzra, senpgher, tnc, tnfu, tbetr, ubyybj, ubiry, xrlubyr, ynphan, ynve, yrnx, zbhgu, arfg, avpur, avpx, abgpu, bevsvpr, bhgyrg, cnffntr, crrcubyr, cresbengvba, cvg, cbpxrg, cbpxznex, chapgher, erag, ergerng, fpbbc, funsg, furygre, fcnpr, fcyvg, grne, ghaary, inphvgl, irag, ibvq, jvaqbj.