Schinus L.
Trees or large shrubs, usually dioecious, mostly evergreen, resinous. Lvs alternate, simple or imparipinnate. Fls small, in open panicles or racemosely arranged. Calyx (4)-5-partite; segments imbricate. Petals (4)-5, imbricate, whitish. Stamens 10, inserted on a disc. Ovary 1-locular, sessile; ovule suspended from apex; styles 3. Drupe globose; exocarp chartaceous.
c. 30 spp., Mexico to Argentina. Naturalised sp. 1.
In addition to the sp. described below S. terebinthifolius Raddi, with 5-9, much larger, oblong leaflets and scarlet frs, is sometimes cultivated. It has not been reported wild from N.Z., although in several parts of the Pacific, including Norfolk Id, it is a pernicious weed.
