pepper tree

American  

noun

1. any of several chiefly South American, evergreen trees belonging to the genus Schinus, of the cashew family, cultivated in subtropical regions as an ornamental.

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pepper tree British  

noun

1. Also called: mastic tree.  any of several evergreen anacardiaceous trees of the chiefly South American genus Schinus, esp S. molle , having yellowish-white flowers and bright red ornamental fruits

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Etymology

Origin of pepper tree

First recorded in 1685–95

Example Sentences

As the couple watched the flames approach, a transformer blew adjacent to their home, igniting a pepper tree.

From Washington Post • Dec. 6, 2017

I talked to Steve Aspel, the former mayor of Redondo Beach, and he made it clear no pepper tree was ever uprooted, and no tree-based revenge was ever exacted.

From Slate • Jun. 21, 2017

Enjoy it under the pepper tree in the courtyard as the servers entertain you.

From New York Times • Dec. 24, 2014

Under the pepper tree, and in interviews with his military captors, he composed a fantastic tale.

From Time Magazine Archive

I went outside, stood underneath the pepper tree next to the outhouse, and cried silently.

From "Breaking Through" by Francisco Jiménez