Topic summary

Schinus molle

Schinus molle

Schinus molle (Peruvian pepper, also known as American pepper, Peruvian peppertree, escobilla, false pepper, rosé pepper, molle del Peru, pepper tree, peppercorn tree, California pepper tree, pirul, Peruvian mastic, anacahuita or aguaribay and pepperina) is an evergreen tree in the cashew family (Anacardiaceae) that grows to 15 m (50 ft). It is native to an area from the Peruvian Andes to southern Brazil. The bright pink fruits of S. molle are often sold as "pink peppercorns", although it is unrelated to black pepper (Piper nigrum). The word molle in Schinus molle comes from mulli, the Quechua word for the tree. The tree is host to the pepper-tree moth, Bombycomorpha bifascia.