What is "pepper tree"

Mastic \Mas"tic\, n. [F., fr. L. mastiche, mastichum, Gr. ?, fr. ? to chew, because of its being used in the East for chewing.] [Written also mastich.]

1. (Bot.) A low shrubby tree of the genus Pistacia ( Pistacia Lentiscus), growing upon the islands and coasts of the Mediterranean, and producing a valuable resin; -- called also, mastic tree.

2. A resin exuding from the mastic tree, and obtained by incision. The best is in yellowish white, semitransparent tears, of a faint smell, and is used as an astringent and an aromatic, also as an ingredient in varnishes.

3. A kind of cement composed of burnt clay, litharge, and linseed oil, used for plastering walls, etc.

   Barbary mastic (Bot.), the Pistachia Atlantica.

   Peruvian mastic tree (Bot.), a small tree ( Schinus Molle) with peppery red berries; -- called also pepper tree.

   West Indian mastic (Bot.), a lofty tree ( Bursera gummifera) full of gum resin in every part.

1. n. small Peruvian evergreen with broad rounded head and slender pendant branches with attractive clusters of greenish flowers followed by clusters of rose-pink fruits [syn: molle, Peruvian mastic tree, Schinus molle]

2. small African deciduous tree with spreading crown having leaves clustered toward ends of branches and clusters of creamy flowers resembling lilacs [syn: Kirkia wilmsii]

Pepper tree is a common name for several plants and may refer to:

• Trees in the Schinus genus.
• Macropiper excelsum, or kawakawa, a small tree endemic to New Zealand.
• Two species of the Pseudowintera genus, also known by the Māori name of Horopito.