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BRAZILIAN PEPPER NON - NATIVE NUISANCE TREE |
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Brazilian Pepper was originally introduced to the United States from South America in the late 1800's as a landscaping plant. The berries quickly became a favorite food source for many birds leading to a rapid dispersal of the seeds throughout South Florida. Along with the Melaleuca (see below) Brazilian Pepper poses one of the greatest threats to the ecological integrity of the Everglades. Brazilian Pepper invades disturbed areas and when left unchecked forms dense monocultures by depriving slower growing native plants of light, water and other resources. The result is an ecological desert, which looks green and thriving but in reality lacks any real diversity of plant or animal life. This plant grows as a shrub or small tree (up to 15 feet tall) and can be easily recognized by the bright red berries that are produced especially in the winter (hence the common name Florida Holly). |
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