Brazilian Pepper Tree Adaptations
The Brazilian pepper tree (Schinus terebinthifolius), an evergreen with bright red berries, is used as a Christmas decoration, but it does not always spread good cheer: The tree is considered invasive in some places, including the states of Florida and Hawaii. The species is native of Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. It grows as a shrub or small tree up to 30 feet or taller in warm climates.. Does this Spark an idea?
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Invasiveness
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The tree rapidly invades disturbed sites. After its introduction in the middle of the 19th century, it spread across Florida, crowding out native plants with its thick canopy, according to the University of Florida IFAS Extension. It is illegal to sell the plant in that state. The tree, which has overrun 700,000 acres in Florida, is one of the state’s most invasive species. It grows on land and in aquatic areas.
Toxins
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A 2008 study in the Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology found that the chemical make-up of the Brazilian pepper tree’s fruit harms other Florida plants, such as the black mangrove (Avicennia germinans). Native organisms are especially vulnerable to toxins produced by an invasive species because they haven’t evolved the necessary defenses. The Global Invasive Species Database reports that the trees, which are related to poison ivy, cause skin irritation to humans. People who sit under the trees may also experience flu-like symptoms.
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Hardiness
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Mature Brazilian pepper trees may survive up to six months of flooding, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The species also is drought-hardy and can endure fires and gusty winds with little harm. The trees have evolved to thrive in an array of habitats and climates, including arid, tropical and Mediterranean areas. The plants’ vulnerability to cold weather limits their northern spread.
Seed Dispersal
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Spread of the seeds occurs in a few ways. Birds — including mockingbirds, catbirds and cedar waxwings — eat and disperse them, according to the U.S. Forest Service. In south Florida when other trees aren’t fruiting, robins that migrate to the area consume the seeds and spread them extensively. Additionally, lizards, turtles, ants and mammals such as Hawaiian feral pigs distribute the seeds.
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