UF/IFAS
Okeechobee
County Extension Service
458 Highway 98 North
Okeechobee, FL 34972-2578
Phone: (863) 763-6469
E- mail: asachson@ifas.ufl.edu
7 March, 2007
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Feature Article - for release the week of March 11, 2007
Angela Sachson, Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Program Assistant
Beautiful, Deadly Plant Terrorizes Florida Natives
You may have seen an attractive bush or tree with shiny green leaves and bright red berries growing along the roadside or near waterways. This pretty plant is Schinus terebinthifolius, or, commonly, Brazilian-pepper tree. It is sometimes known as Florida Holly because its fruit-laden branches are often used as Christmas decorations in Florida.
This plant’s beauty hides an evil secret. The Brazilian Pepper tree is a DEADLY KILLER! It invades our landscapes, kills native plants in its path, resulting in loss of plant life, disappearance of native wildlife, and loss of precious biodiversity.
Neither from Florida nor a holly, Brazilian Pepper is one of the worst invasive exotic pest plants in the State of Florida.
Bothersome Background
The plant was brought to the state in the early 1800's from South America as an ornamental. It is a member of the Poison Ivy family which includes mango, poison sumac, pistachio and poisonwood. Sensitive people may develop skin rashes if their bare skin comes into contact with its sap. Many people also report respiratory problems when the plant is in bloom.
So, if this evil-doer isn’t killing other plants, it may be making humans ill and itchy!
Brazilian Pepper is classified as a prohibited by the Florida DEP, which means "Under no circumstances will this species be permitted for possession, collection, transportation, cultivation, and importation.”
It produces a dense forest canopy that shades out all other foliage. It makes such poor wildlife habitat that almost nothing other than the Brazilian Pepper itself will live in the area. Almost a million acres in Florida are covered by this weed.
And, Brazilian Pepper is only one of many “Invasive Exotic” plants growing in our state. They are invasive because they quickly spread and disrupt native habitat and “exotic” because they don’t come from here.
Often when plants are introduced to a new location, they
come without the native climate, diseases or insect pests
that kept them under control. With no natural enemies,
they can just keep growing and reproducing, displacing our
natives and disrupting natural communities.
Seeds from invasive plants can be spread by wind (e.g., Old World climbing fern), by water (Melaleuca trees), or by wildlife that eat the fruit and deposit the seeds far from the original place (Brazilian pepper – adored by robins). Others spread from expanding underground root systems (Australian pine and erect sword fern).
According to the University of South Florida, almost one-third of the wild plants in Florida are non-native. Millions of tax dollars are spent attempting to control them without much success.
No Quick Fix
What to do? It will take all of us to battle this increasing threat to biodiversity and here are some things to do right now.
1. Learn to recognize plants on the invasive species list. Check out references with photos of Florida invasive plants. Chances are you've seen quite a few of these plants. Ask us for some suggested titles.
2. Start at home. Many invasive exotic plants are unknowingly planted and maintained in our landscapes. Identify these plants, remove these offensive weeds (or at least remove any fruits), and replace with more appropriate plants instead. Consider using true Florida natives. Attractive replacements are commercially available at nurseries or garden centers. For more plant suggestions, contact your county extension office.
3. Spread the word (not the weed). Tell others about this threat and encourage them to avoid invasive weeds too!
I’ve placed more information on our Okeechobee web page, http://okeechobee.ifas.ufl.edu. If you need additional information on Invasive Exotic Pest Plants or the Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Program, please email us at okeechobee@ifas.ufl.edu or call us at 863-763-6469. Local residents can stop by our office at 458 Hwy 98 North in Okeechobee, and visit our Okeechobee County Master Gardeners from 1 to 3 PM on Tuesday afternoons. GO GATORS!
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Trade names, where used, are given for the purpose of providing specific information. They do not constitute an endorsement or guarantee of products named, nor does it imply criticism of products not named. The Florida Cooperative Extension Service - Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer authorized to provide research, educational information, and other services to individuals and institutions that function without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap, or national origin. Florida Cooperative Extension Service / IFAS / University of Florida. Larry A. Arrington, Dean Last update: 03/09/2007 . This page is maintained by Dan Culbert