Schinus Molle Pepper Tree

Schinus Molle is an evergreen tree also known as the Peruvian pepper tree or false pepper. It has a spreading crown and drooping branches, and can grow up to 10 metres tall. Its fruits are sold as pink pepper and are associated with spices in North Cyprus.

Key Features

• The fruits ripen in autumn and may remain on the tree through winter.
• The spherical fruits measure 3–5 mm across and have a thin, hard, reddish or mauve-pink skin.
• The fruit has a pepper-like taste and aroma.
• Schinus Molle is a different species from commercial black pepper, Piper nigrum.
• The tree is long-lived and highly resistant to drought.
• Its leaves release a pepper-like scent when rubbed.

Small green-yellow flowers bloom in spring in loose, drooping clusters at the ends of branches. Schinus Molle is also known as the California pepper tree and Brazilian pepper tree.