Brazilian Pepper bushes are an ornamental from Brazil that looks like Holly

Brazilian Pepper bushes are an ornamental from Brazil that looks like Holly. They produce red berries that birds eat. The birds carry their seeds spreading the plant throughout mangrove habitat where the Pepper bush outcompetes the mangroves. The red berries are beautiful but toxic; direct contact with them causes a poison ivy-like rash.

Photo Location: Florida, Broward County, Indian River Lagoon
Photo Date: October 1996