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Summary

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.

There has been considerable historical confusion as to the correct grammatical gender of the genus name; this was resolved in 2015 with the determination that the correct gender of Schinus is feminine, not masculine, and adjectival names within the genus must be spelled accordingly. E.g. Schinus polygamus is found in the literature, but Schinus polygama is deemed to be the correct form. This is because botanical tradition uses feminine gender for the genus name Schinus, as is the classical tradition for most genus names of trees that end in -us, and polygama is an adjective that must take a feminine form (not the masculine form polygamus).

Species

34 species are currently accepted:

Schinus areira L. – Peru, Bolivia, northern Chile, and northern Argentina Schinus bumelioides I.M.Johnst. – northern Argentina Schinus engleri F.A.Barkley – Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay Schinus fasciculata (Griseb.) I.M.Johnst. – Bolivia, Paraguay, and northern Argentina Schinus ferox Hassl. – southern Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, northern Argentina (Misiones Province) Schinus gracilipes I.M.Johnst. – northwestern Argentina Schinus johnstonii F.A.Barkley – Argentina and Uruguay Schinus kauselii F.A.Barkley – central Chile Schinus latifolia (Gillies ex Lindl.) Engl. – central Chile Schinus...