Perfect Peppercorn Traditional Cache

The peppercorn tree  "Schinus areira" is an introduced evergreen tree that grows up to 10 metres tall. Native to tropical zones of South America, is grown all over the world in regions where summers are hot and dry.

It is an ideal shade tree for home gardens and parks and is very drought tolerant once established.  The leaves are very aromatic with branches of fine foliage that droop almost to the ground. The trunks of mature specimens are gnarled, furrowed and dark, often with pleanty of hidy holes

Sprays of small cream, rather insignificant flowers appear in spring to early summer. Male and female flowers may grow on the same tree or separate trees.

Where female flowers are present, these are followed by long chains of small, dry berries, which ripen to a rich, bright-pink colour later in summer.

These decorative fruits may persist on the tree for some months and are not the peppercorns bought in shops.