32)+Pepper+Tree

= Pepper Tree =

//Schinus molle// Family: Anacardiaceae

media type="file" key="pepper tree podcast.mp3" || photo of leaves || || photo of reproductive part ||
 * Photo of whole plant
 * photo of bark

Classification:
Angiosperm Dicot Dioecious

The flowers in the family of Anacardiaceae are not flashy or showy and instead blend easily into the tree or shrub. The flowers grow at the end of the branches with 5 petals and sepals on each flower. The stamens are always the same amount or twice as many petals meaning that there are 5-10 stamens. The leaves in this family never have stipules. The leaves are also rarely across from each other and instead alternate. The leaves in the //Schinus molle// are pinnately compound and there is a lot more variety in the family. The bark his very fibrous on the inside and have resin canals going through. The fruit from this family is a fleshy fruit that has at least one seed located on the inside and with a protective layer around the fruit known as a fruit wall. There is a fibrovascular system in the roots and stems of this family. The family is mostly consisted of trees or other woody plants and therefore is considered a woody family.
 * Family Characteristics-**

Size:
The Pepper Tree can reach sizes between 10 and 15 meters tall. The flowers themselves are never larger than 3 millimeters while the leaves are larger.

Identifying features:
Within the Anacaridaceae family lies the Pepper Tree plant or, //Schinus molle.// From this plant there are several identifying features most importantly the flower, leaf and bark. Below lists the special differential parts of the Pepper Tree.

Flower- The flowers for the Pepper Tree plant are unisexual and radial. They have 10 stamen but the flowers are sterile when they lack stamen. The petals are in stacks in two groups of five. The flowers are generally larger than 3 millimeters. The flower has three different styles coming out from the ovule. Leaf- The leaves of the Pepper Tree are generally very aromatic. There are more than five leaflets and are grouped lateral to opposite. The leaves are also leathery and resinous with teeth. Bark- The bark of the Pepper Tree is very rough and coarse. The bark also drips sap from inside the tree. Along with the leaves the bark is very aromatic when crushed. The bark is very distinctive due to its coarseness and harsh edges.

The Pepper Tree in our area is growing amongst many other plants. There are about two other species that grow close enough to the tree to be impacted by it. These two species are the Cedar Tree or, //Cedrus//, and the Crepe Myrtle or, //Lagerstroemia// //indica.// Neither of these trees seem to be affected by the Pepper Tree. There is quite a bit of distance between the trees and this could have to do with the roots under the surface. Otherwise it seems that the trees are very independent from one another and the Pepper Tree has little affect on the others.

Habitat and Living Requirements:
Sun- The Pepper Tree plant likes full exposure to the sun and likes the heat. It prefers to stay out of the shade of other trees. Soil- The Pepper Tree needs little water and therefore can live in soil with little to no moisture. The Pepper Tree can live easily in places like Davis with clay soil. This is possible because of its deep and continuously growing root system. The tree lives in soil of PH levels from 6-7 prefering a more acidic and salty type of soil. Hardiness Zones- The Hardiness Zone of the Pepper Tree plant is zone 9. This means that it prefers a warmer climate. It does not like to live in many states in the Northern region of the United States and Canada because it is too hot or too cold for it to survive. Diseases/Pests- The Pepper Tree is very resistent to pests and diseases especially termites with its hard bark and wood.

Reproduction:
Fertilization Method- The //Schinus molle// is usually a Diecious plant which helps it to cross pollinate. This happens when a plant of each sex is grown close to each other. The cross pollination method is when the pollen grains from the Anther of a male plant go from the male plant to the female plant by wind or other natural method. Once on the female plant the pollen goes down the pollen tube to the ovary and then to the egg. In the Diagram below you can see the basic fertilization of cross pollination of a Diecious plant: Fruit- The fruit on the Pepper Tree is a rosy pink which grows after the white flowers bloom. When the plant is grown with both sexes adjacent the female plants tend to grow red and purple drupes. The fruits are 5-7 mm large and look like berries. The fruits grow in clumps of hundreds and are on the tree year round. The seeds that are located in these berries are very woody and change color throughout the year. Ideal Conditions- The ideal conditions for the fertilization of a Pepper Tree plant are very similar to its basic living conditions. The plant, even as a growing seed, loves full sun. Also it is easiest to grow in phosphorus laden soil.

Sources:
Information found at: [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] []

Created by: Nora Unkel