Schinus Molle

The root of this plant is used medicinally and the

resin that exudes from the tree is employed to astringe the gums.

The leaves are so filled with resinous fluid that when they are

immersed in water it is expelled with such violence as to have the

appearance of spontaneous motion in consequence of the recoil. The

fruits are of the size of pepper corns and are warm to the taste.

The pulp surrounding the seeds is made into a kind of beverage by

the Mexican Indians. The plant is sometimes called Mexican

pepper.