Schinus

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Schinus
Schinus terebinthifolius
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Sapindales
Family: Anacardiaceae
Subfamily: Anacardioideae
Genus: Schinus
L.[1]
Type species
Schinus molle
L.[2]
Species

See text

Synonyms

Duvaua Kunth[1]

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)[3] is the source of the spice known as pink peppercorns[4] but can become serious invasive species outside their natural habitats. Schinus polygama, although less well known, is also potentially weedy in some areas.

Taxonomy

The generic name is derived from the Greek word for Pistacia lentiscus, Σχίνος (schinos), which it resembles.[5]

Over time there has been a fair amount of reclassification within this genus and earlier names may incorrectly continue to be used by those unaware of changes, including in some cases government departments and even textbooks. The name Schinus areira remains widespread, in Australia (the Peppercorn tree) in particular, but is now considered to be a sub-species of Schinus molle (var. areira).

Selected species

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.)[6]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Genus: Schinus L.". Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. 2009-11-23. Retrieved 2011-02-22. 
  2. "Schinus L.". TROPICOS. Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved 2010-02-09. 
  3. Seidemann, Johannes (2005). World spice plants. Springer. p. 337. ISBN 978-3-540-22279-8. 
  4. Allen, Gary (2007). The Herbalist in the Kitchen. University of Illinois Press. pp. 26–27. ISBN 978-0-252-03162-5. 
  5. Quattrocchi, Umberto (2000). CRC World Dictionary of Plant Names: Common Names, Scientific Names, Eponyms, Synonyms, and Etymology. IV R-Z. Taylor & Francis US. p. 2405. ISBN 978-0-8493-2678-3. 
  6. 6.0 6.1 "GRIN Species Records of Schinus". Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2011-02-22. 

External links

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