PEPPER TREE

(Schinus molle), small ornamental tree, of the cashew family (Anacardiaceae), native to tropical America and cultivated in warm subtropical regions. The long leaves have storage cells that contain a volatile oil. The small white flowers are borne in clusters at the ends of the branches. Each small, pealike fruit has a hard kernel surrounding one seed. The fruits are used in beverages and medicines because of their hot taste and aroma. Pepper tree is a host plant for scale insects that damage orange trees.