 First,
the warnings: This shrub/tree is one of the worst exotic
pest plants in Florida. It is regulated by the Florida
Department of Environmental Protection and is a Class I
Prohibited Aquatic Plant, which means "Under no circumstances
will this species be permitted for possession, collection,
transportation, cultivation, and importation.” It produces a
dense forest canopy that shades out all other foliage and
results in a poor habitat for native wildlife and plant species.
To put the problem in perspective, over 700,000 acres in Florida
are covered by this weed.
While
commonly known as Florida Holly, Brazilian pepper (BP) is
neither from Florida nor a holly. The plant was brought to
Florida around 1842 to 1849 from South America to be sold as an
ornamental plant. It is in the same plant family as poison ivy,
poison oak and poison sumac.
Contact with most parts of BP plants can cause an itchy skin,
rash and sometimes inflammation and swelling of the face and
eyes. The flowers and fruits can cause respiratory irritation.
Just trimming BP bushes, especially when in bloom, can cause
these allergic reactions in many people.
Brazilian pepper has passed Melaleuca as Florida's most
dominant invasive plant.
Environmental
Effects of Brazilian Peppers
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They
kill other vegetation by forming dense thickets and by
chemically suppressing the growth of understory plants.
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They cut
down on kinds and total numbers of wildlife by
destroying their usual food and shelter.
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They
hurt shorelines by disturbing natural fish-breeding habitat.
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They
crowd out valuable mangroves.
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Their shallow roots allow erosion.
 Growth
Characteristics
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They
grow rapidly up to 10 feet per year.
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They
re-sprout quickly if cut down.
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Once
established, their roots are very difficult to dig up.
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Their
prolific seeds are widely distributed by birds and animals.
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They are
resistant to natural events like flooding, fire and drought.
-
They can
grow in wet or dry soil, and are salt-tolerant.
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Florida has no natural predators to keep them under control.
Biology
 Bees
are attracted to the plant's flowers and make honey from their
nectar. Raccoons and opossums eat the fruit of the plant and
contribute to its spread by passing the seeds in their scat.
Fruit-eating birds such as the migratory American Robin also eat
the fruit and can seed wide areas by passing the seeds in their
droppings. It is reported that certain birds and other wildlife
during certain times of the year seek the berries of this plant
for their narcotic effects.
Seedlings have a high rate of survival and some can be found all
year. Any break in the canopy can be utilized. Reproduction can
occur 3 years after germination. Some trees can live for 35
years.
Additional Information
Because
Brazilian pepper plants are invasive, care must be taken in
their handling, transport and disposal. Brazilian pepper plants
cannot be recycled and must be handled separately from typical
yard debris. The Brazilian pepper plants need to be bagged or
put into garbage cans with lids for transport to the stations or
landfill. If there are large plants that cannot be
containerized, special attention must be taken to ensure that
the plant's red berries are not dropped or spread during
transport. It is recommended that red berries be bagged even if
the plant itself cannot.
A permit is
required from DEP for removal of these plants from wetlands.
Past Pest
of the Month
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IPM Procedural Guidelines