Schinus

Schinus is a genus of flowering trees and tall shrubs in the sumac family, Anacardiaceae. Members of the genus are commonly known as pepper trees. The Peruvian pepper tree (Schinus molle) is the source of the spice known as pink peppercorn.
The species of Schinus are native to South America, ranging from Peru and northeastern Brazil to southern South America. Some species (e.g. Schinus terebinthifolia) have become an invasive species outside their natural habitats. Schinus polygama, although less well known, is also potentially weedy in mesic areas.
Etymology
The generic name is derived from the Greek word for Pistacia lentiscus, Σχίνος (schinos), which it resembles. Considerable historic confusion has existed as to the correct gender of the genus name; as of 2015, this has been resolved with the determination that the correct gender of Schinus is feminine (rather than masculine), and adjectival names within the genus must be spelled accordingly.
Species
34 species are currently accepted:
Schinus areira – Peru, Bolivia, northern Chile
Schinus bumelioides – northern Argentina
Schinus engleri F.A.Barkley – Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay
Schinus fasciculata (Griseb.) I.M.Johnst. – Bolivia, Paraguay, and northern Argentina
Schinus ferox – southern Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, northern Argentina (Misiones Province)
Schinus gracilipes – northwestern Argentina
Schinus johnstonii – Argentina and Uruguay
Schinus kauselii – central Chile
Schinus latifolia (Gillies ex Lindl.) Engl. – central Chile
Schinus lentiscifolia – southern Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, northern Argentina (Misiones Province)
Schinus longifolia – west-central and southern Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, nand northern Argentina
Schinus marchandii – southern Chile and southern Argentina
Schinus meyeri – Bolivia and northwestern Argentina (Salta Province)
Schinus microphylla – Peru and Bolivia
Schinus molle L. Peruvian pepper tree
Schinus molle var. molle (=S. bituminosa, S. occidentalis) – Peru and northern Chile; southern Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and northeastern Argentina
Schinus molle var. rusbyi (L.) DC. – southern Peru and northern Chile
Schinus montana – central Chile
Schinus myrtifolia – Bolivia and northwestern Argentina
Schinus odonellii – southern Chile and western Argentina
Schinus pampeana – southern Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul)
Schinus patagonica – central and southern Chile and western Argentina
Schinus pearcei Engler – Bolivia, northern Chile, and Peru
Schinus pilifera – Bolivia and northern Argentina
Schinus polygama (Cav.) Cabrera (=S. dentata, S. dependens) – Chile and northwestern Argentina (Mendoza)
Schinus praecox – north-central Argentina
Schinus ramboi – southern and southeastern Brazil
Schinus roigii – western Argentina
Schinus sinuata – northeastern Argentina
Schinus spinosa – Brazil (Paraná state)
Schinus talampaya – northwestern Argentina (San Juan and La Rioja)
Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi Brazilian pepper tree – northeastern to southeastern Brazil, northeastern Argentina, and Paraguay
Schinus terebinthifolia var. acutifolia Engl.
Schinus terebinthifolia var. terebinthifolia (=S. aroiera, S. chichita, S. mellisii, S, mucronulata, S. rhoifolia)
Schinus uruguayensis – southern Brazil, Uruguay, and northeastern Argentina
Schinus velutina – central Chile
Schinus venturii F.A.Barkley – southern Bolivia to northwestern Argentina (Salta)
Schinus weinmanniifolia Mart. ex Engl. – south-central to eastern and southern Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and northeastern Argentina
Formerly placed here
Cuscuta myricoides (L.) Druce (as S. myricoides L.)
Limonia acidissima L. (as S. limonia L.)
Lithraea molleoides (Vell.) Engl. (as S. molleoides Vell.)
Zanthoxylum fagara (L.) Sarg. (as S. fagara L.)
References
External links
Anacardiaceae genera
Flora of Southern America
Plants described in 1753
Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus