Description
Schinus molle (also known as Peppercorn Tree, California Peppertree or Peruvian Peppertree) is an evergreen tree that grows to 15 metres in both height and canopy width. It is native to the Peruvian Andes.
Schinus molle is a drought tolerant, quick growing, spreading evergreen tree to 15 meters tall and 5–10 meters wide. The upper branches of the tree are semi-weeping in habit with willow-like leaves. The bark, leaves and berries are aromatic when crushed.
The pinnate compound leaves measure 8–25 cm long × 4–9 cm wide and are made up of about 20-40 alternate leaflets. Male and female flowers occur on separate plants (dioecious). The flowers are small, white and borne profusely at the ends of the drooping branches. The fruit are 5–7 mm in diameter that turn from green to pinkish red with woody seeds that occur in dense clusters.
Distribution
Schinus molle is native to the arid zone of northern South America and Peru's Andean deserts, extending to central Argentina and central Chile. It has, however, become widely naturalised around the world where it has been planted, as an ornamental and for timber and spice production. It is a drought-tolerant, long-lived, hardy evergreen species that has become a serious invasive weed in many countries.
Uses
Schinus molle was commonly planted in parks and gardens as a specimen tree, shade tree or windbreak. It is a common feature in the Australian arid landcape where it is often seen around old farmhouses, parks, cemeteries and gardens in the outback.
Although not related to commercial pepper (Piper nigrum) the dried and roasted berries are sold as pink peppercorns and often blended with commercial pepper. The fruit and leaves are, however, potentially poisonous to poultry and livestock. Records also exist of young children who have experienced vomiting and diarrhea after eating the fruit.
In traditional medicine, Schinus molle was used in treating a variety of wounds and infections due to its antibacterial and antiseptic properties and as an antidepressant and diuretic. Its insecticidal properties have potential as an alternative to synthetic chemicals in pest control.
Traditionally, fresh green leaves in bunches are used in ceremonies for cleansings and blessings, and the leaves are also used for the natural dyeing of textiles. The Incas used the oil from its leaves in early mummification practices to preserve and embalm their dead. The fruits were used for producing chicha, a fermented alcoholic beverage.
Origin of Name
Schinus molle belongs the Family Anacardiaceae, commonly known as the cashew or sumac family, a group of flowering plants with about 83 genera and 860 known species.
The name Schinus molle is attributed to Carl Linnaeus in 1753. Linnaeus was a Swedish botanist, zoologist, taxonomist, and physician who formalised binomial nomenclature for naming organisms.
The word Schinus is from the Greek name for the mastic tree shinos. The word molle comes from mulli, the name of the peppercorn tree in the Quechuan language (the indigenous language of the Peruvian Andes).
The Tree
This particular Peppercorn Tree is listed on the National Trust of Australia Register of Significant Trees. It is located in the vicinity of a picnic table and public toilets on the SE Corner of Edward and Wakefield Streets, East of the Wakefield River Tidal Inlet.
An adjacent plaque has the inscription:
Donated to the Pt Wakefield Community by Clementina Corner Craft Cottage, October 2013
PEPPERCORN TREE, (Schinus molle var-aveira), From warm temperate South America, Est. age 150 years - height 15m, Trunk circumference at 1m height - 6.6m, Diameter at this height - 2.11m, Canopy radius - East 10m, North 10.5m, South 10m, West 7m, Aboricultural report - ferene (franc) ugody N.G.S.A., L.A.S.A, , P.L.A., I.S.A. [Sic: Not sure why botanist Ferene (Frank) Ugody’s name is in lower case!].
Adelaide, South Australia, 6th January, 2005, Unveiled by Mr David Fawcett. M.P. Federal Member for Wakefield, Sunday, November 13th, 2005.