Broad- leaved pepper tree
Schinus terebinthifolius, Fam. Anacardiaceae
Spreading tree to 10m or more, resinous, younger parts finely hairy.
| Weed Category: |
Restricted invasive plants Category 3 Plants declared invasive under the Biosecurity Act 2014, that are present in QLD.
Not to be distributed or disposed of.
|
| Weed: | Yes |
| Form or habit: | Med tree |
| Family: | Anacardiaceae |
| Leaf: | Compound Alternate Alternate pinnate, stalks swollen at base. Leaflets opposite 5-9, dark green, elliptic or ovate-oblong, unequal sided, 30-80 x 15-35mm, margins entire or finely toothed. Crushed leaves strongly aromatic with similar smell to green mango. |
| Flower conspicuous: | Inconspicuous |
| Flower colour: |
Cream |
| Flower description: | Small, cream in short terminal and axillary sprays. Male and female flowers usually on separate plants. |
| Fruit conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Fruit colour: |
Red |
| Fruit: | Fleshy |
| Fruit description: | Bright red, peppercorn-like, fleshy drupes, about 6mm in diameter with a thin fragile skin, spicy aroma, and containing one light brown ‘seed’. |
| Habitat: | |
| Distribution | |
| Food source for: | |
| Toxicity: | Toxic if ingested, potential allergen, irritant sap, toxic or irritant to domestic pets, toxic to native animals |
| Origin: | Brazil |
| Notes: | Spread by: birds, bats, water and garden waste. Invades/threats: coastal dunes, wetlands and stream banks. Notes: introduced as a garden ornamental. Widely naturalised; serious infestations in Melaleuca wetlands around Mackay. Displaces native vegetation; survives long periods of inundation. Contains toxic resins that can affect human and animal health. Under the Biosecurity Act 2014, it must not be given away, sold, or released into the environment without a permit. The Act requires everyone to take all reasonable and practical steps to minimise the risks associated with invasive plants and animals under their control. This is called a general biosecurity obligation (GBO). |
| Information sources: | Mackay Regional Pest Management Group (2018) Weeds of the Mackay Whitsunday Region Second Edition. |
