Plants and mushrooms

Brazilian pepper tree

Common name		Brazilian pepper tree
Botanical name		Schinus terebinthifolius
Other common names		Broad-leaved pepper tree
Family		Anacardiaceae
General description		A small tree which grows up to 6m tall, sometimes up to 16m, previously planted as a garden ornamental, but now a weed in coastal areas. The tree is quite resinous and aromatic, especially when the leaves are crushed.
Flowers		The flowers are small and white, with petals about 2mm long, and occur in massed inflorescences.
Leaves		The leaves consist of 5 to 9 leaflets opposite to each other. The leaflets are 3 to 8cm long and 1.5 to 3.5cm wide.
Fruit/Berries		The fruits are bright red, shiny berries, rounded in shape, about 6mm in diameter.
Other		The sap is clear and sticky.
Symptoms		If berries are eaten they may cause vomiting and diarrhoea. The sap may cause dermatitis and eye irritation. When flowering, the tree may cause sneezing, asthma-like reactions and headache.
Toxicity category		2, 3, 4
Warning		For all eye exposures rinse the eye with water for 15 minutes and then seek urgent medical assistance.