Schinus terebinthifolia
Brazilian pepper tree
(c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · licence
Family: Anacardiaceae · Type: Shrub / Tree
Conservation status: Cal-IPC Yes
Schinus terebinthifolia (Brazilian pepper tree) is a California shrub / tree in the Anacardiaceae family.
Brazilian pepper tree is a naturalized tree found in southern California in washes and canyons at elevations below 200 meters. Flowering from May to September, this tree produces small white flowers in delicate clusters. Growing 5 to 10 meters tall with spreading branches, it develops a wide, rounded canopy. Its compound leaves are 8 to 15 centimeters long, featuring elliptic to oblong leaflets that range from 2.5 to 7 centimeters, with edges that can be smooth or slightly toothed. The tree produces small round fruits approximately 4 to 7 millimeters in diameter.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 0 sympatric species; geographically isolated but range data limited in eFlora
Habitat and range
Habitat: Washes, canyons
Elevation: < 200 m
Outside California: Florida, native to South America
Bloom period
Schinus terebinthifolia blooms May-Sep.
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
When does Schinus terebinthifolia bloom?
Schinus terebinthifolia blooms May-Sep.
What plant family does Schinus terebinthifolia belong to?
Schinus terebinthifolia is in the Anacardiaceae family, genus Schinus.
Is Schinus terebinthifolia invasive in California?
Schinus terebinthifolia is listed by Cal-IPC with an invasiveness rating of Yes.
What habitat does Schinus terebinthifolia grow in?
Schinus terebinthifolia grows in Washes, canyons.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.