Plants and mushrooms

Pepperina

Common name		Pepperina
Botanical name		Schinus molle
Other common names		Pepper tree, Molle
Family		Anacardiaceae
General description		A small tree to 8m tall with a drooping habit and soft feathery leaves. Previously popular as a garden ornamental in inland areas, it is now naturalised in some areas of southern Queensland. The tree is quite resinous and aromatic, especially noticeable when the leaves are crushed.
Flowers		The flowers are small and white, with petals about 2.5mm long, and occur in massed inflorescences. Flowers late spring to early autumn.
Leaves		The leaves consist of 9 to 19 leaflets that are sub-opposite, narrowly ovate, 2 to 4.5cm long and 0.3 to 0.6cm wide.
Fruit/Berries		The fruit are berries, shiny pink to red in colour, rounded in shape and about 5mm in diameter, maturing late spring to early autumn.
Other		The sticky, clear sap may cause dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
Symptoms		If berries are eaten they may cause vomiting and diarrhoea. When flowering, the tree may cause respiratory irritation, sinus congestion and headache.
Toxicity category		2, 3, 4
Warning		-