Schinus terebinthifolia
Brazilian pepper tree
Schinus terebinthifolia, commonly known as the Brazilian peppertree, is a versatile evergreen shrub native to South America. Highly valued in traditional medicine, its leaves and berries possess potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. This resilient plant offers significant therapeutic potential for treating various ailments through its bioactive compounds.
- Scientific name: Schinus terebinthifolia
- Family: Anacardiaceae
- Native range: Europe
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.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Sapindales | WCVP |
| Family | Anacardiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Schinus | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Schinus terebinthifolia, is recognized by various regional names across different languages. In Russian, it is referred to as Шинус фисташколистный, while in Dutch, it is commonly called roze peper. Its Portuguese name is Aroeira-vermelha, and in Catalan, it is known as pebrer del Brasil. Furthermore, in German, it is identified as Brasilianiische Pfefferbaum.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ru | Шинус фисташколистный | Wikidata |
| nl | roze peper | Wikidata |
| pt | Aroeira-vermelha | Wikidata |
| ca | pebrer del Brasil | Wikidata |
| de | Brasilianischer Pfefferbaum | Wikidata |
| sv | Brasilianskt pepparträd | Wikidata |
| ar | فلفل برازيلي | Wikidata |
| fi | brasilianroseepippuri | Wikidata |
| ja | サンショウモドキ | Wikidata |
| he | פלפלון דמוי-אלה | Wikidata |
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.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Southwestern Europe | Portugal | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Spain | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Algeria | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Libya | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Morocco | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Tunisia | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Canary Is. | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Cape Verde | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Madeira | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as the Brazilian peppertree, utilizes various components for its medicinal and practical applications. The small, reddish-pink fruits are highly valued and are often used as a spice or for their aromatic properties. Additionally, the medicinal potential of the species is often associated with the leaves, particularly when preparing a traditional infusion or decoction, sometimes referred to in specific contexts as a "Raddi leaf" preparation, to harness its bioactive compounds.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| fruits | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Raddi leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Schinus terebinthifolia has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (+)-catechin, 3-oxo-olean-12-en-28-oic acid, cumaric acid, ethyl gallate, gallic acid.
- Total chemicals
- 11
- Scientific sources
- 11
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| (+)-catechin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 3-oxo-olean-12-en-28-oic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cumaric acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ethyl gallate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gallic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| kaempferol-3-O-glucoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| myricetin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| myricitrin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pentagalloyl glucose | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| quercetin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Schinus terebinthifolia has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Ovicide.
- Total activities
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Ovicide | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Schinus terebinthifolia has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include bronchitis, diabetes mellitus, oxidative stress, ulcers, wounds.
- Total uses
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| bronchitis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diabetes mellitus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oxidative stress | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ulcers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| wounds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |