I like the name Schinus molle because it would be an excellent name for a Star Wars character, probably a crook! But it is a good example to avoid the use of common names. The Swahili name, Mpilipili is the only name used Tanzania but the other common names include Pepper tree, Chilean Pepper tree, Peruvian Pepper tree and Californian Pepper tree. Certainly the tree grows naturally in the Peruvian highlands, so South America will be its home.
The tree is tolerant to most soils and grows in warm/hot dry climates. It is drought resistant.
Description: A small tree up to about 15 metres, with drooping foliage. Usually the trunk is short and the tree has a roundish crown. Bark is dark grown/grey and flaking and sticky latex forms if the bark is damaged. Leaves are compound to 30cm with many narrow leaflets to 7cm - a pepper smell when crushed. Flowers are small and green/yellow. Fruit hanging on bunches [female trees] are small round berries pink/red when ripe.
Uses: The tree is most often used as a shelter tree, mainly shade, especially in dry areas. Grown with other (tree) crops it is said to deter termites. Firewood and charcoal tend to release pungent smoke, so is unpopular. The seeds have been blended with ordinary pepper but not in Tanzania.
Propagation: There are up to 40 000 seeds per Kg with 50% germination within 30 days. Sundry the fruit and pound with a mortar and pestle then blow away the dried flesh. There is no pretreatment necessary and seeds can be sowed directly. The seed can be stored for long periods.
I found the tree difficult to germinate in the nursery setting. It is sometimes grown as a shade crop with coffee but is susceptible to the same stem borer as the coffee plant.
Big E recommended inter-planting Grevillea robusta with Mpilipili to avoid termite attack - Grevillea is like ice cream to termites and it did not work.
Most village people see the tree as having no use other than shade and prefer more useful species, but my opinion is that a green tree is of use to the environment and in the village situation it is easier to grow as it requires less water to establish and is not browsed by goats.
The seeds can poison poultry, which is a warning, but hens usually are not interested in eating the seed.
The tree is tolerant to most soils and grows in warm/hot dry climates. It is drought resistant.
Description: A small tree up to about 15 metres, with drooping foliage. Usually the trunk is short and the tree has a roundish crown. Bark is dark grown/grey and flaking and sticky latex forms if the bark is damaged. Leaves are compound to 30cm with many narrow leaflets to 7cm - a pepper smell when crushed. Flowers are small and green/yellow. Fruit hanging on bunches [female trees] are small round berries pink/red when ripe.
Uses: The tree is most often used as a shelter tree, mainly shade, especially in dry areas. Grown with other (tree) crops it is said to deter termites. Firewood and charcoal tend to release pungent smoke, so is unpopular. The seeds have been blended with ordinary pepper but not in Tanzania.
Propagation: There are up to 40 000 seeds per Kg with 50% germination within 30 days. Sundry the fruit and pound with a mortar and pestle then blow away the dried flesh. There is no pretreatment necessary and seeds can be sowed directly. The seed can be stored for long periods.
I found the tree difficult to germinate in the nursery setting. It is sometimes grown as a shade crop with coffee but is susceptible to the same stem borer as the coffee plant.
Big E recommended inter-planting Grevillea robusta with Mpilipili to avoid termite attack - Grevillea is like ice cream to termites and it did not work.
Most village people see the tree as having no use other than shade and prefer more useful species, but my opinion is that a green tree is of use to the environment and in the village situation it is easier to grow as it requires less water to establish and is not browsed by goats.
The seeds can poison poultry, which is a warning, but hens usually are not interested in eating the seed.
No comments:
Post a Comment