Plant ID card |
|
|---|---|
Botanical name |
Schinus mellouse. |
Common name |
False pepper tree, wild pepper tree, California pepper tree. |
Family |
Anacardiaceae. |
Origin |
South America. |
Dimensions |
The false pepper tree is a shrub that can measure up to 15 m high in its natural environment but rather 10 m in our latitudes and 6 m wide. |
Foliage |
The persistent and shiny foliage of the false pepper tree is made up of long, very jagged leaves measuring approximately 30 cm long. Its numerous leaflets are both toothed and lanceolate. They are bright green in color and have a strong peppery odor. Its drooping leaves give it a weeping habit. |
Bloom |
When spring arrives, the foliage of the false pepper tree is adorned with small light yellow flowers smelling of honey, grouped in hanging clusters about 20 cm long. In summer, they give way to small pink berries with a peppery taste, also called drupes. |
Exposure |
To grow well, the false pepper tree must be planted in a sunny location, sheltered from violent and cold winds. It also tolerates a location in partial shade if the climate is mild. |
Ground |
The false pepper tree adapts to all types of soil as long as they are rich in humus and well drained so as not to retain stagnant water. |
Rusticity |
- 5°C. |
Originally from South America, the false pepper tree is a not very hardy shrub that cannot tolerate too cool temperatures.
This is why it is preferable to plant it in your garden only if you live in the south of France or in a region with an oceanic climate.
Where to plant a false pepper tree?
Location:
fond of sunny locations, the false pepper tree also appreciates being protected from violent winds.
It is an interesting shrub to plant by the sea since it tolerates sea spray well and loves mild climates.
The false pepper tree lends itself well to making hedges.
Indeed, after each pruning, its foliage becomes denser, making the false pepper tree an ideal shrub for creating privacy and windbreak hedges.
It can also be planted alone, particularly to highlight its beautiful silhouette and elegant appearance.
Soil:
to grow well, the false pepper tree must be planted in sandy, well-drained soil rich in humus.
Remember to water it very regularly during its first two years of life.
Then, it will no longer be necessary since the false pepper tree is very resistant to drought.
A fan of sunny locations, the false pepper tree also appreciates being protected from violent winds Copyright (c) 2016 Yulia Kupeli/Shutterstock.
No use without permission.
Can pepper grow in France?
The false pepper tree is a shrub that can grow in France but only in
regions where winter is mild.
In fact, it does not tolerate negative temperatures well.
In our latitudes, it will therefore flourish more in the south of France or by the sea. In addition, thanks to its deep roots, the false pepper tree resists periods of drought well.
Are the berries of the pepper tree edible?
It is the black pepper plant (
Piper nigrum
) which gives pepper as we know it, whether black, gray, red, white or green.
Other berries can be similar to pepper, like those of the pepper tree, but are not exactly the same spices since they do not belong to the same botanical family.
Indeed, the false pepper plant belongs to the Anacardiaceae family and not the Piperaceae.
More tangy than real pepper, the berries of the false pepper tree are used whole or crushed after being dried.
Be careful, however, not to use excessively, at the risk of exposing yourself to
digestive problems.
The berries of the pepper tree are also prized in traditional medicine, as are its leaves.
More tangy than real pepper, the berries of the false pepper tree are used whole or crushed after being dried.
Copyright (c) 2022 Stephane GEUS/Shutterstock.
No use without permission.
Does the false pepper tree lose its leaves in winter?
The false pepper tree is a shrub with
evergreen foliage
which therefore does not lose its leaves in winter.
However, in the event of frost, it may appear semi-persistent.