Brazilian pepper - its impact on people, animals and the environment.
Morton J. F.
Author Affiliation: Miami University, Coral Gables, Florida, USA.
Economic Botany 32 : 353-359
Abstract : The ornamental tree, Schinus terebinthifolius, is widely cultivated in the southern USA, particularly Florida, for its berries and for shade. The flowers are rich in nectar which yields a spicy honey in commercial quantities. The tree also has medicinal uses in Brazil. However, when in bloom it is a major source of respiratory difficulty and dermatitis in man and the foliage and fruits have poisonous properties. Resins, saponin, 0.12% essential oil and 13.9% tanins were isolated from the bark and various triterpenes were found in the fruits. The seeds contained a large quantity of essential oil, mainly phellandrene, and an aromatic fatty oil. This species, which is invasive and a common host of Selenothrips rubrocinctus, a severe pest of mango, and Sphaeropsis tumefaciens (a witches' broom fungus) may be controlled by herbicides and tree harvesting for pulpwood.