Schinus molle var. areira
(L.) DC.Broad-crowned tree to c. 12 m high; branchlets pendent; sap aromatic. Leaves narrow-ovate in outline, 8–25 cm long, 4–9 cm wide; leaflets 15–41, alternate, lanceolate to somewhat falcate, 15–60 mm long, 3–10 mm wide, entire to dentate. Pedicels 1–2.5 mm long. Calyx 0.5–1 mm long, broadly lobed to c. midway, minutely ciliate; petals obovate, 1.5–2.5 mm long; disc lobed; male flowers with stamens alternately c. 0.5 and 1.5 mm long; female flowers with staminodes subsessile to 0.3 mm long, styles 0.3–0.5 mm long. Drupes c. spherical 5–7 mm diam., shining, pink or bluish. Flowers throughout the year.
MuM, Wim, VVP, VRiv, MuF, GipP, Gold, CVU, NIS, HSF. Moderately common on heavier soils, chiefly in northern Victoria, but also in drier areas of the south. Widely planted, persisting on abandoned farms, rail sidings etc.
Australian plants have variably been treated as S. areira, S. molle var. areira or as part of a broader S. molle, but at either rank (variety or species) the distinction between them is unclear.
The seeds have been used as a substitute for pepper.
Walsh, N.G. (1999). Anacardiaceae. In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Vol. 4, Cornaceae to Asteraceae, pp. 150–152. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
