Schinus
Schinus terebinthifolius
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Sapindales
Family:	Anacardiaceae
Subfamily:	Anacardioideae
Genus:	Schinus L.[1]
Type species
Schinus molle L.[2]
Species
See text
Synonyms
Duvaua Kunth[1]

Schinus molle

Schinus is a genus of flowering trees and tall shrubs in the sumac family, Anacardiaceae. Members of the genus are commonly known as pepper trees. The Peruvian Pepper Tree (Schinus molle)^[3] is the source of the spice known as pink peppercorns^[4] but can become serious invasive species outside their natural habitats. Schinus polygama, although less well known, is also potentially weedy in some areas.

Taxonomy[link]

The generic name is derived from the Greek word for Pistacia lentiscus, Σχίνος (schinos), which it resembles.^[5]

Over time there has been a fair amount of reclassification within this genus and earlier names may incorrectly continue to be used by those unaware of changes, including in some cases government departments and even textbooks. The name Schinus areira remains widespread, in Australia (the Peppercorn tree) in particular, but is now considered to be a sub-species of Schinus molle (var. areira).

Selected species[link]

• Schinus engleri Barkley (Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay)
• Schinus latifolius (Gillies ex Lindl.) Engl.
• Schinus lentiscifolius Marchand
• Schinus molle L. (=S. huygan) – Peruvian Pepper Tree (Western South America)
  • Schinus molle var. areira (L.) DC. (=S. areira)
  • Schinus molle var. molle
• Schinus pearcei Engler (Bolivia, Chile, and Peru)
• Schinus polygamus (Cav.) Cabrera (=S. dentata, S. dependens)
• Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi – Brazilian Pepper Tree (southeastern Brazil, northern Argentina, and Paraguay)
  • Schinus terebinthifolius var. acutifolius Engl.
  • Schinus terebinthifolius var. pohlianus Engl.
  • Schinus terebinthifolius var. raddianus Engl.
  • Schinus terebinthifolius var. rhoifolius (Mart.) Engl. (=S. aroiera, S. rhoifolia)
  • Schinus terebinthifolius var terebinthifolius
• Schinus venturi Barkley (Argentina and Bolivia)
• Schinus weinmanniifolius Mart. ex Engl.^[6]

Formerly placed here[link]

• Cuscuta myricoides (L.) Druce (as S. myricoides L.)
• Limonia acidissima L. (as S. limonia L.)
• Lithraea molleoides (Vell.) Engl. (as S. molleoides Vell.)
• Zanthoxylum fagara (L.) Sarg. (as S. fagara L.)^[6]

References[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Schinus

Wikispecies has information related to: Schinus

External links[link]

• USDA PLANTS National Database
• Tropical Plant Database - Herbal site