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Flora and Fauna
Not all Molles are Alike
By Virginia Vickers Braun

This molle costeño (Schinus terebintifolius) was recently cut down because although it provided excellent shade in the parking lot, it caused too much litter on the cars. (Photo by Virginia Braun)

Once again, tracking down the names of local trees has required some detective work. I was told that the pretty ornamental trees with dark green, holly-like leaves and red berries are molles. They are also known as molle costeños or molle Hawaianos here in Lima. These trees (Schinus terebinthifolius) are actually native to Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil, and are commonly called Brazilian peppertrees on the internet. The species name combines a Greek word, Schinus (pronounced “SKY-nus”), meaning mastic tree, with the genus Terebinthus and Latin folia, or leaf.

However, when I went to check out the molles that line Avenida las Casuarinas, I was surprised to see that they look completely different. They are more willow-like, with smaller, thinner leaves and rose-colored berries. This specie, Schinus molle L., is native to Peru and is called molle serrano or molle peruano (Peruvian pepper tree).

Molles belong to the Sumac or Anacardiaceae family, which also includes cashews, mangos and pistachios, as well as poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac, and poisonwood. Not surprisingly, contact with the sap of a molle can cause a reaction similar to that of poison ivy. Some people experience respiratory problems when the trees are in bloom.

The flowers of the molle costeño are small and white and can be either male or female, but not on the same tree. The fruit forms clusters of tiny berries that change from shiny green to bright red as they mature and dry. The berries have a peppery taste and attract birds. Molle costeños are also known as Christmasberry trees, since their berries are used as Christmas decorations. The dried pink peppercorns of the molle serrano are used as pepper substitutes and in products such as McCormick's Spices “Peppercorn Mélange.” They are used in syrups, sauces and vinegars, and in chicha. I wouldn't recommend eating or cooking with the berries, however, as they could be dangerous to ingest.

Molle serranos or peruanos, which are native to Peru, line Avenida las Casuarinas. These trees have a more willow-like appearance and have thinner, lighter green leaves than the molle costeños. (Photo by Virginia Braun)

Molles are evergreens. Their leaves, when crushed, are supposed to smell like turpentine. Molle costeños reach heights of 25 to 35 feet (five to seven meters) and have a spreading, umbrella-shaped canopy up to 25 feet wide. They are drought tolerant, like full sun, and can withstand strong winds. The limbs can be brittle and, while the trees provide shade, they are also known to crowd out and kill native plants. The state of Florida prohibits the sale and propagation of molles, since they are considered a noxious weed. They have overtaken some 700,000 acres in the south and central parts of the state and are very difficult to eradicate.

Nonetheless, nearly every part of the plant has useful medical properties. The oils of the bark, leaves and seeds are useful as an analgesic, antiseptic, antidepressant, astringent, diuretic and purgative. In Peru, preparations made from molles are used to heal scars and fractures, and alleviate rheumatism and toothaches. In Mexico, the resin is used to treat tumors and warts.