Brazilian pepper tree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Christmasberry-tree
• Brazil Pepper Tree
• Brazilian pepper
• Christmas Berry Tree
• Christmas berry
• South American Pepper
• Florida Holly

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is further organized into the order Sapindales and the family Anacardiaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by its placement within the genus Schinus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread presence across specific regions of the Mediterranean basin. In Southwestern Europe, its distribution includes the countries of Portugal and Spain. The species also extends into Northern Africa, where it can be found growing in Algeria. Furthermore, it inhabits the territories of Libya and Morocco within the same continent. Together, these locations define its primary geographical range.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Schinus terebinthifolia is characterized by its remarkable adaptability to a diverse array of ecosystems and significant altitudinal variations. This species thrives across a broad environmental spectrum, occupying habitats such as anthropic areas, Cerrado (latu sensu), coastal restingas, and mangroves. It is also commonly found within various forest types, including seasonal semi-deciduous forests, gallery forests, ombrophilous forests (both pluvial and mixed), and coastal strip forests. In terms of topographical distribution, the plant exhibits a wide elevational range, spanning from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 1500 m AMSL, allowing it to colonize both lowland coastal regions and higher-altitude inland landscapes.

Elevational range max:

1500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Floresta Ombrófila Mista, Manguezal, Restinga

Genetics

The genetics of Schinus terebinthiifolia are characterized by a specific chromosomal configuration that defines its cellular structure. The species possesses a chromosome number of 60, which serves as a fundamental genetic marker for its cytological identification. Furthermore, the plant exhibits a diploid ploidy level, indicated by a ploidy value of 2, suggesting a standard chromosomal arrangement within its genome.

Chromosome number :

60

Ploidy :

2

Life history

The life history of Schinus terebinthifolia is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment over many growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, a structural adaptation that defines its growth habit and life form. Furthermore, the species maintains an evergreen deciduousness, ensuring that its foliage remains functional throughout much of its life cycle rather than shedding all leaves seasonally.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Schinus terebinthiifolia is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, functioning as a self-supporting structure rather than a climber or vine. As a terrestrial and independent organism, it does not exhibit parasitic or epiphytic behavior, maintaining a stable life cycle on land. The plant's stature varies significantly depending on environmental conditions, with a height range spanning from a minimum of 1 m to a maximum of 10 m, and an average height of approximately 6.2 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

10 m

Plant height mean:

6.2 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Schinus terebinthifolia is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway and an alternate leaf arrangement. The foliage displays an imparipinnate leaf form, with individual leaflets measuring between 1.5 cm and 8 cm in length and ranging in width from 0.7 cm to 3.2 cm. The plant exhibits a consistent Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 95 cm²/g across its minimum, mean, and maximum recorded values, indicating a uniform leaf density and thickness. Furthermore, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer.

Leaf arrangement :

alternate

Leaf form :

imparipinnate

Leaf length max:

8 cm

Leaf length min:

1.5 cm

Leaf width max:

3.2 cm

Leaf width min:

0.7 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) min:

95 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Schinus terebinthiifolia is characterized by a biotic pollination process, primarily driven by insects such as bees. The plant produces white flowers arranged in a panicle inflorescence, with individual flowers reaching a maximum length of 0.2 cm. The flowering period typically begins in July and concludes in September, and the species relies on external agents as self-fertilization is noted to be absent. Following successful pollination, the plant develops fleshy, indehiscent fruits classified as drupes. These fruits are initially green in color and typically measure between 0.5 cm and 0.6 cm in width, with a length ranging from a mean of 0.55 cm to a maximum of 0.6 cm. The dispersal of the species is zoochorous, meaning it relies on animals for seed distribution. The seeds contained within the fruit are quite small, with a mean mass of approximately 0.0181375 g (ranging from 0.0149 g to 0.02137 g) and a consistent seed volume of 29 mm³.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Flower colour :

white

Flower length max:

0.2 cm

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit colour :

green

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit length max:

0.6 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.55 cm

Fruit type :

drupe

Fruit width max:

0.6 cm

Fruit width min:

0.5 cm

Inflorescence :

panicle

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.02137 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0181375 g

Seed mass min:

0.0149 g

Seed volume max:

29 mm³

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Schinus terebinthifolia has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit, leaf.

Fruit

1. Scientific reports

Leaf

1. Natural product research

Chemicals

Schinus terebinthifolia has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (+)-catechin, 3-oxo-olean-12-en-28-oic acid, ETHYL GALLATE, Gallic acid, Kaempferol 3-O-glucoside.

(+)-catechin

1. Natural product research

3-oxo-olean-12-en-28-oic acid

1. Scientific reports

ETHYL GALLATE

1. Natural product research

Gallic acid

1. Natural product research

Kaempferol 3-O-glucoside

1. Natural product research

Myricitrin

1. Natural product research

Pentagalloyl glucose

1. Natural product research

cumaric acid

1. Natural product research

myricetin

1. Natural product research

quercetin

1. Natural product research

Activities

Schinus terebinthifolia has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Ovicide.

Antibacterial

1. Natural product research

Ovicide

1. Natural product research

Conditions

Schinus terebinthifolia has 5 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include bronchitis, diabetes mellitus, oxidative stress, ulcers, wounds.

Bronchitis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Diabetes mellitus

1. Natural product research

Oxidative stress

1. Natural product research

Ulcers

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Wounds

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Schinus terebinthifolia has 5 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include 430D-F5, hydroalcoholic extract, hydroethanolic extract (HE), infusions, methanol extracts.

430d-f5

1. Scientific reports

Hydroalcoholic extract

1. Natural product research

Hydroethanolic extract (he)

1. Natural product research

Infusions

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Methanol extracts

1. Fitoterapia