Schinus polygama
Chilean pepper tree, Chilean Pepper Tree
(c) Dick Culbert, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Anacardiaceae · Type: Shrub / Tree · Not Native
Schinus polygama (Chilean pepper tree) is a non-native California shrub / tree in the Anacardiaceae family, recognized by leaf architecture provides definitive separation.
Chilean pepper tree is a naturalized tree found in southern California coastal and Peninsular Ranges regions in abandoned fields and scrublands at elevations below 1,000 meters. Flowering from May to September, this tree produces small white flowers approximately 4 to 5 millimeters across. Growing to less than 5 meters tall with spreading branches, it develops a compact, rounded form. Its simple leaves are oblong to oblanceolate, 1.5 to 3 centimeters long with entire to slightly wavy margins. The tree produces small round fruits approximately 5 millimeters in diameter.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; leaf architecture provides definitive separation
Habitat and range
Habitat: Abandoned fields, slopes, scrub
Elevation: < 1000 m
California counties: San Diego, Riverside, Los Angeles, San Bernardino
Outside California: weed in southeastern United States, native to South America
Bloom period
Schinus polygama blooms May-Sep.
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 polygama native to California?
No. Schinus polygama is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Schinus polygama bloom?
Schinus polygama blooms May-Sep.
Where in California does Schinus polygama grow?
Schinus polygama occurs in San Diego, Riverside, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, at elevations of < 1000 m.
What plant family does Schinus polygama belong to?
Schinus polygama is in the Anacardiaceae family, genus Schinus.
What habitat does Schinus polygama grow in?
Schinus polygama grows in Abandoned fields, slopes, scrub.
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.