Family:
Anacardiacae
Origin:
Peru, naturalized in Mexico & California
Light:
Full sun
Temperature:
Hot, can withstand down to the low 20’s F, drought tolerant.
Pests & Problems:
The Pepper Tree Psyllid (insect)




The lacy, evergreen Pepper Tree needs very little water when established, prefers a sandy, loamy soil but is tolerant of any soil, dry or moist. It is single or multi-stemmed, dark green, moderately weeping in form, and spreads 30 – 40’ high. The flowers are off–white to yellow and produce round, reddish fruit which contain the seeds. The fruit looks like salmon eggs and has a strong pepper scent. There is some litter drop from this tree and it needs support and training for the trunk when young to establish a straight tree. This is an extremely invasive plant that will overtake other plantings. The Pepper Tree has been banned in the State of Florida because of ecological damage. Handling the leaves can cause dermatitis and the seeds in large quantities can be toxic. Brought to Mexico by the Spaniards several hundred years ago, the tree now grows wild and is referred to by the name ‘Peril’. There are other Peril trees in Mexico, however the Schinus Molle if the most common. The tree branches are used by Mexican Brujas to ‘sweep’ the body and cast away all ‘evil, bad luck, and the evil eye’. This cleansing is called “una barrida con pirul”; and is commonly used in rural Mexican communities today.