24 BRAZILIAN PEPPERTREE PEST STATUS of WEED Nature Of
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24 BRAZILIAN PEPPERTREE S. D. Hight,1 J.P. Cuda,2 and J. C. Medal2 1United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Center for Biological Control, Tallahassee, Florida, USA 2Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA (T. vernix [L.] Kuntze), all of which are in the PEST STATUS OF WEED Anacardiaceae, the sap of Brazilian peppertree can Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi, commonly called Bra- cause dermatitis and edema in sensitive people zilian peppertree in North America, is an introduced (Morton, 1978). Resin in the bark, leaves, and fruits perennial plant that has become well established and is sometimes toxic to humans, mammals, and birds invasive throughout central and southern Florida (Ferriter, 1997; Morton 1978). Even the odors of the (Ferriter, 1997; Medal et al., 1999). This species is flowers of S. terebinthifolius can induce allergic reac- native to Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay (Barkley, tions (Morton, 1978). Abundant growth of this poi- 1944, 1957) and was brought to Florida as an orna- sonous plant may damage the multi-billion dollar mental in the 1840s (Ferriter, 1997; Mack, 1991). The tourist industry in Florida. The value of wildlife-re- plant is a dioecious, evergreen shrub-to-tree that has lated recreational activities in Florida has been esti- compound, shiny leaves. Flowers of both male and mated at $5.5 billion (UF-IFAS, 1999). Visitors sen- female trees are white and the female plant is a pro- sitive to S. terebinthifolius who would otherwise come lific producer of bright red fruits (Fig. 1). Although to Florida for such activities may decide to vacation the plant is still grown as an ornamental in Califor- elsewhere rather than risk exposure to this toxic weed. nia, Texas, and Arizona, S. terebinthifolius is classi- Wood of Brazilian peppertree is of little value due to fied as a state noxious weed in Florida and Hawaii its low quality, multiple, low-growing stems, and poi- (Ferriter, 1997; Habeck et al., 1994; Morton, 1978). sonous resin (Morton, 1978). Ecological damage. In Florida, S. terebinthifolius is an aggressive, rapidly spreading weed that displaces native vegetation by forming dense monocultures (Fig. 2). These thickets reduce the biological diver- sity of native plants and animals (Bennett et al., 1990; Medal et al., 1999). As early as 1969, S. terebinthifolius was recognized as an important invader in Everglades National Park (Morton, 1978). The Florida Depart- ment of Agriculture and Consumer Services recog- nizes the plant as a noxious weed (Morton, 1978) and in 1990 the sale of S. terebinthifolius was prohibited by the Florida Department of Environmental Pro- Figure 1. Fruit clusters on plant of Schinus tection (Langeland, 1998). Conservation organiza- terebinthifolius. (Photograph by S. Hight) tions consider S. terebinthifolius a high priority tar- Nature of Damage get because it is already widespread and has great potential to increase its range even further (Randall, Economic damage. As a member of the 1993). The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (1998) iden- Anacardiaceae, S. terebinthifolius has allergen-caus- tified S. terebinthifolius as one of the most significant ing properties, as do other members of the family. non-indigenous species currently threatening feder- While not affecting as many people as poison ivy ally-listed threatened and endangered native plants (Toxicodendron radicans [L.] Kuntze), poison oak (T. throughout the Hawaiian islands. In Florida S. toxicarium [Salisb.] Gillis), or poison sumac terebinthifolius is considered one of the worst 311 Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the Eastern United States invasive species by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant occurred in more than 20 countries worldwide Council, and is recognized as the most widespread throughout subtropical areas (15 to 30° N or S lati- exotic plant in the state; infesting nearly 300,000 ha tudes) (Ewel et al., 1982). In the United States, the and found in all the terrestrial ecosystems of central plant occurs in Hawaii, California, Arizona, Texas, and southern Florida (Habeck, 1995; Ferriter, 1997). and Florida (Habeck et al., 1994; Ferriter, 1997). In Hawaii, the plant is commonly called Christmasberry due to its attractive green foliage and red fruits present in December. The plant is sensitive to cold tempera- tures (Langeland, 1998). Its distribution in eastern North America is limited to central and southern Florida, although along the Florida coast, plants can be found as far north as Levy and St. Johns Counties (ca. 29° N). BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON PEST PLANT Figure 2. Dense stand of Schinus terebinthifolius trees in Evergaldes National Park. Taxonomy (Photograph by J. Cuda and J. Medal.) The order Sapindales, one of the eighteen orders In southern and central Florida, S. within the subclass Rosidae, contains fifteen families terebinthifolius colonizes disturbed sites such as high- and about 5,400 species. More than half of the spe- ways, canals, powerline rights-of-ways, fallow fields, cies belong to only two families, the Sapindaceae and and drained wetlands. It also is able to establish in Rutaceae, each with nearly 1,500 species. The many undisturbed natural environments (Woodall, Anacardiaceae is a small but well known family, con- 1982), including pine flatwoods, tropical hardwood sisting of 60 to 80 genera and about 600 species hammocks, and mangrove forests (Loope and (Cronquist, 1981). The family is primarily Dunevitz, 1981; Ewel et al., 1982; Woodall, 1982). pantropical, but some species occur in temperate re- The invasion of this aggressive, woody plant poses a gions. Species of Anacardiaceae, which may be trees, serious threat to biodiversity in many of Florida’s shrubs, or woody vines, are characterized by well native ecosystems, and is eliminating many indig- developed resin ducts or latex channels throughout enous food sources for wildlife (Morton, 1978). At- most plant parts. Leaves of these plants are typically tributes of the plant that contribute to its invasive- alternate and either pinnately compound or trifoli- ness include a large number of fruits produced per olate. Flowers are usually unisexual, with parts in female plant, an effective mechanism of dispersal by groups of five. Nectary disks are five-lobed and fruits birds (Panetta and McKee, 1997), and tolerance to are typically drupes (Cronquist, 1981). The genus shade (Ewel, 1978), fire (Doren et al., 1991), and Schinus has 28 species and its center of distribution is drought (Nilsen and Muller, 1980). northern Argentina (Barkley, 1944, 1957). Schinus Extent of losses. Direct losses have not been species are native to Argentina, southern Brazil, Uru- quantified due to lack of long-term monitoring pro- guay, Paraguay, Chile, Bolivia, and Peru (Barkley, grams and data collection and analysis. 1944, 1957). Barkley (1944) recognized five varieties Geographical Distribution of S. terebinthifolius. Differences between the variet- ies are based on leaf length, leaflet number and shape, Schinus terebinthifolius is native to Argentina, Bra- and the form of leaflet margins (Barkley, 1944). Two zil, and Paraguay (Barkley, 1944, 1957). The plant varieties of S. terebinthifolius have been introduced was spread around the world as an ornamental, be- into Florida, but the most abundant is S. ginning in the mid to late 1800s (Barkley, 1944; Mack, terebinthifolius var. radianus (M. Vitorino, pers. 1991). Naturalization of S. terebinthifolius has comm.). 312 Brazilian Peppertree Biology Hippocastanaceae, Aceraceae, Burseraceae, Anacardiaceae, Simaroubaceae, Meliaceae, Rutaceae, The main flowering period of S. terebinthifolius in and Zygophyllaceae) have native members in eastern Florida is September through October, with a much- North America. Nine of these ten families have na- reduced bloom from March to May. Small, white tive species within the range of S. terebinthifolius in flowers occur in dense axillary panicles near the end Florida. The tenth family, Staphyleaceae, has a spe- of branches. The flowers are insect pollinated and cies that occurs in northern Florida. The Rutaceae successful fertilization leads to the production of pro- includes important fruit crops grown in subtropical lific numbers of bright red fruits from November to Florida (Citrus spp.). Four genera of Anacardiaceae February. A small fruit set occurs from June to Au- are indigenous to eastern North America: Rhus, Toxi- gust. Fruits are eaten and dispersed by birds and codendron, Metopium, and Cotinus (Brizicky, 1962; mammals. In fact, fruits have a near-obligate require- Gleason and Cronquist, 1963). Except for Cotinus, ment for ingestion before seeds can germinate, as the above genera are each represented by several spe- seeds within fruits that have not passed through the cies in Florida that overlap in range with S. digestive tract have little chance of germinating be- terebinthifolius (Ferriter, 1997). A number of addi- fore they loose viability (Panetta and McKee, 1997). tional species of Anacardiaceae have been introduced Seeds remain viable in soil for six or nine months, in and are currently cultivated in Florida for their ed- Florida and Australia, respectively (Ewel et al., 1982; ible fruits or seeds, including Mangifera indica L. Panetta and McKee, 1997). Removal of the seed from (mango), Pistacia spp. (pistachio), and Spondias spp. the fruit by ingestion and excretion or mechanical (purple mombin). means promotes seed germination, and germination rates do not differ between