Schinus molle
Pepper tree, Pepper Tree
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Family: Anacardiaceae · Type: Tree · Not Native
Conservation status: Cal-IPC Yes
Schinus molle (Pepper tree) is a non-native California tree in the Anacardiaceae family, recognized by leaf architecture (compound vs simple) provides clear differentiation.
Pepper tree is a naturalized tree found in the Sierra Nevada Foothills, Tehachapi, Great Valley, Central Western, and Southwestern California in washes, slopes, and abandoned fields at elevations below 700 meters. Flowering from June to August, this tree produces small inconspicuous flowers less than 3 millimeters long. Growing 5 to 18 meters tall with the ability to root-sprout, it forms a broad, spreading canopy. Its compound leaves are 10 to 30 centimeters long, featuring numerous narrow leaflets 1 to 6 centimeters long that are lanceolate to lance-linear and typically entire. The tree produces small round fruits approximately 5 to 8 millimeters in diameter.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; leaf architecture (compound vs simple) provides clear differentiation
Habitat and range
Habitat: Washes, slopes, abandoned fields
Elevation: < 700 m
California counties: Orange, San Diego, Los Angeles, Riverside, Alameda, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Santa Clara, San Bernardino, San Mateo, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Kern, Butte, Fresno, Contra Costa, Santa Cruz, Yolo, Solano
Outside California: to Texas, Mexico, native to South America
Bloom period
Schinus molle blooms Jun-Aug.
Conservation status
Cal-IPC Yes
How to tell it apart
vs Salix: Salix has simple undivided leaves; Schinus has compound leaves divided into many leaflets.; vs Heteromeles: Heteromeles has simple toothed leaves; Schinus has compound leaves with 7+ untoothed leaflets.; vs Pistacia: Check the leaf stem between leaflets - Schinus has a round smooth stem, Pistacia has wing-flanges.; vs Neltuma: Neltuma has twice-compound leaves and spines; Schinus has once-compound leaves without spines.; vs Quercus: Quercus has simple lobed or toothed leaves; Schinus has compound leaves divided into separate leaflets.
Frequently asked questions
Is Schinus molle native to California?
No. Schinus molle is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Schinus molle bloom?
Schinus molle blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Schinus molle grow?
Schinus molle occurs in Orange, San Diego, Los Angeles, Riverside, Alameda, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Santa Clara and other counties, at elevations of < 700 m.
What plant family does Schinus molle belong to?
Schinus molle is in the Anacardiaceae family, genus Schinus.
Is Schinus molle invasive in California?
Schinus molle is listed by Cal-IPC with an invasiveness rating of Yes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.