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Pepper tree

Pepper tree

Widespread on the floor of forests, the pepper tree is a shrub which grows up to 3 metres tall. It has distinctive round to heart-shaped, dark green leaves which are lighter underneath.

Fruits are elongated, conical, fleshy, green at first and turn orange when ripe. Early settlers picked and ate the green fruits and used the spicy, ripe seeds as 'pepper'.

Scientific name

Macropiper excelsum psittacorum

A small pink flower amongst large green leaves.

Looking out over rolling green hills and rocky cliffs against the sea. A wooden fence is in the foreground.

A white circular sign fixed to a wooden guardrail in a lush forrest.

A white circular sign on a wooden post. Lush forest greenery is in the background.

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We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.