Schinus
(from Schinos, the old Greek name used by Theophrastus for the Mastic-tree, Pistacia Lentiscus; applied to this genus on account of the resinous, mastic-like juice which exudes from the species). ORD. Anacardiaceae. A genus comprising twelve species of stove shrubs or small trees, inhabiting the warmer parts of South America. Flowers whitish, small, dioecious; calyx short, with five imbricated lobes; petals five, imbricated; disk annular, rather broad; stamens ten; panicles axillary and terminal, bracteate. Drupes globose, oily. Leaves alternate, im, ari-pinnate; leaflets opposite or alternate, sessile. "The leaves of some of the species are so filled with a resinous fluid that the least degree of unusual repletion of the tissue causes it to be discharged; thus, some of them fill the air with fragrance after rain; and S. Molle and some others expel their resin with such violence, when immersed in water, as to have the appearance of spontaneous motion, in consequence of the recoil" (B. R. 1580). The two species introduced require culture similar to that recommended for the stove species of Rhus (which see).
S. Molle (Mulli, the Peruvian name). Australian or Californian Pepper-tree; Peruvian Mastic-tree. fl. yellowish-green. July and August. fr. of a beautiful rose-colour, the size of peas. l. with numerous pairs of lanceolate, serrated leaflets, the terminal one longest. h. 20ft. Brazil and Peru. 1597. (B. M. 3339.) S. terebinthifolius (Terebinthus-leaved). fl. greenish-white, racemose. July. l. composed of seven somewhat serrated, almost equal leaflets. h. 20ft. Brazil, 1830.