⚠ Caution

Brazilian Pepper

Schinus terebinthifolia

Related to poison ivy. Sap and leaves can cause skin rashes and allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. The red berries should not be eaten. Avoid touching with bare hands.

Miami's most aggressive invasive tree — and one you need to know to avoid. Brazilian pepper was brought to Florida as an ornamental in the 1840s and has since invaded every natural area in the state. It forms impenetrable thickets that crowd out native species. It's in the same family as poison ivy and can cause skin rashes. Recognizing it is important because it's everywhere and it's NOT a tree you want to climb or play under.

Where to Find It

Unfortunately, everywhere — vacant lots, roadsides, edges of parks, disturbed areas. It's the most common invasive tree in South Florida. You'll find it along the western side of Miami Beach near Indian Creek.

Key Features

●Bright red berries in dense clusters (winter) — birds spread the seeds everywhere
●Compound leaves with 5-13 leaflets that smell peppery when crushed
●Related to poison ivy — sap can cause skin rashes
●Forms dense, impenetrable thickets that shade out all native plants
●Classified as a Category I invasive — the worst designation in Florida
●Illegal to sell, transport, or plant in Florida

What Falls From This Tree

🍃Red berry clusters (winter — spread by birds)

🍃Compound leaves

🍃Small branches

Ecological Role

Ecological villain. Brazilian pepper displaces native species, forms monocultures, and provides poor habitat compared to the native trees it replaces. An estimated 700,000+ acres of Florida are infested. Millions of dollars are spent annually trying to control it.

Fun Fact

Despite being called 'Brazilian pepper,' the berries are NOT true peppercorns and should not be eaten (they're sometimes sold as 'pink peppercorns' but can cause allergic reactions). The tree was originally planted in Florida because it was pretty — it has attractive red berries and stays green year-round. Nobody realized it would become the state's worst invasive species.

Activities (1)

Invasive Species Detective

Ages 5+15-20 minutes

Learn to spot Brazilian pepper and understand why invasive species are a problem. Walk a short distance and count how many you see. The numbers are staggering.

Materials

Just observation skills (DO NOT TOUCH — related to poison ivy)

Steps

1.Learn the key identifiers: compound leaves with 5-13 leaflets, red berries (winter), peppery smell if a leaf is on the ground
2.Walk along a road or park edge and count Brazilian pepper trees (you'll find a lot)
3.Look at what grows under it — usually nothing, because it shades everything out
4.Compare to an area with native trees — notice the diversity of plants underneath
5.Discuss: how did one 'pretty' tree brought from Brazil in 1842 take over an entire state?
6.Discuss: birds eat the berries and spread seeds everywhere. Each tree can produce hundreds of thousands of berries per year.
7.SAFETY: do not touch with bare hands — it's in the poison ivy family

Mess Level: None

Learning: Invasive species ecology. Unintended consequences of moving species between continents. Native vs. non-native biodiversity. Critical thinking about human impact on ecosystems.

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