Brazillian Pepper

Native plants live well with each other, sharing food, water, shelter, and space. When brought to a different environment these now non-native plants have trouble adapting with native plants. They take control of the space provided and begin to overcrowd the area, taking out many natives. Non-native species also lack natural controls such as disease and predation, which helps to keep a balance between species.

Exotic plants were first introduced to south Florida in the late 1800s and the population of them has been increasing ever since (Public Affairs Office, 1997a, 1997b). Most nonindigenous plants feel welcomed in the Sunshine State’s partly tropical climate. They are able to stand the heavy rainfalls and Florida’s partial droughts (Kramer, 1998). One non-native species that has grown throughout south Florida, and has even been called the Florida Holly, is quickly spr

The Brazilian pepper (schinus terebinthiflius) was introduced in the nineteenth century as an ornamental plant, and did not begin to be pervasive until the 1900s-50 years later (Kramer 1997; Public Affairs Office, 1997b). Local distribution of its seeds is primarily by racoons and opossums, while birds spread the seeds long-distances. The Brazilian pepper does not require bare soil to invade. It can make itself at home in native vegetation (Kramer, 1997), but it mainly thrives on disturbed soils (Public Affairs Office, 1997b). It is found from Brevard and Pasco counties and is persistently seen on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. This exotic plant is a threat to wildlife management areas and causes maintenance problems (Kramer, 1997).

Attracted mostly to ecosystems disturbed by nature or humans, the Brazilian pepper is currently invading Florida’s Everglades National Park. With the help of birds such as the American robin and the catbird, seed are dispersed throughout the park. Being a shade intolerant species, the seedlings sprout readily and easily strive in open areas as well as dense canopies. Although the fruit of the tree is consumed by many species, none destroy the seeds like the Torymid wasp. The larvae of this insect eradicate the seed eliminating the spread of the plant. This exotic tree is also the home of the Rhesus monkey that was released in 1933 during a filming of a Tarzan movie (Kramer, 1997).

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