PLANT OF THE MONTH

February 2020 — Mountain Pepper

Common Name: Mountain Pepper or Pepper Tree

Location at Bloedel Reserve: Gatehouse beds headed down Entrance Road

Latin Name: Drimys lanceolata (syn. Tasmannia lanceolata)

Family: Winteraceae

Type: Evergreen flowering shrub

Origin: Australia

Garden Uses: Border planting or hedge

Fun Facts: Native to Australia, Mountain Pepper grows from sea level to alpine woodlands. The family, Winteraceae, is closely related to Magnolias, though it has much greater southern distribution.  Mountain Pepper got its common name from its use in Australian cuisine. The leaves and berries add a spicy, peppery flavor to a variety of food. The dried fruit, often referred to as “pepper berries,” create a pleasant aroma when ground.