Schinus terebinthifolia

Brazilian pepper tree

Family: Anacardiaceae · Type: tree

Conservation status: Cal-IPC Yes

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.

Habitat: Washes, canyons

Bloom period: May-Sep

Elevation: < 200 m

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.