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.