Schinus

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Schinus
Schinus terebinthifolia
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Sapindales
Family: Anacardiaceae
Subfamily: Anacardioideae
Genus: Schinus
L. (1753)[1][2]
Type species
Schinus molle
Species

See text

Synonyms[4]
  • Duvaua Kunth (1824)
  • Molle Mill. (1754)
  • Piperodendron Heist. ex Fabr. (1759)
  • Sarcotheca Turcz. (1858) nom. illeg.
  • Schinos St.-Lag.(1880)
Schinus molle

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)[5] is the source of the spice known as pink peppercorn.[6]

The species of Schinus are native to South America, ranging from Peru and northeastern Brazil to southern South America.[4] 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[edit]

The generic name is derived from the Greek word for Pistacia lentiscus, Σχίνος (schinos), which it resembles.[7] 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.[8]

Species[edit]

34 species are currently accepted:[4]

Formerly placed here[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Genus: Schinus L." Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. 2009-11-23. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
  2. ^ Linnaeus, C. (1753), Species Plantarum 1: 388
  3. ^ "Schinus L." TROPICOS. Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved 2010-02-09.
  4. ^ a b c Schinus L. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  5. ^ Seidemann, Johannes (2005). World spice plants. Springer. p. 337. ISBN 978-3-540-22279-8.
  6. ^ Allen, Gary (2007). The Herbalist in the Kitchen. University of Illinois Press. pp. 26–27. ISBN 978-0-252-03162-5.
  7. ^ Quattrocchi, Umberto (2000). CRC World Dictionary of Plant Names: Common Names, Scientific Names, Eponyms, Synonyms, and Etymology. Vol. IV R-Z. Taylor & Francis US. p. 2405. ISBN 978-0-8493-2678-3.
  8. ^ Zona, S. (2015). The correct gender of Schinus (Anacardiaceae). Phytotaxa, 222(1), 75–77. doi:https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.222.1.9
  9. ^ a b "GRIN Species Records of Schinus". Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2015-07-22.

External links[edit]

  • Media related to Schinus at Wikimedia Commons