The Tree Adorning the Streets of Bogota with Red Beads: False Pepper

While walking in Bogota, the capital of Kolombiya, it is common to frequently encounter trees adorned with small red or pink beads hanging in parks, on sidewalks, and along boulevards. Although many people see these trees every day, they do not know what they are or their history; they are only interested in their visual aesthetics. However, these small, delicate-looking red grains hold a significant place in the city's landscaping history and harbor interesting stories. These plants, which form the characteristic (city) silhouette of Bogota, not only provide shade and color but also make various contributions to the urban ecosystem. The leading actor forming this green texture of the city is a highly special tree species known among the public as 'false pepper'.

This species, whose scientific name is Schinus molle and which is translated into Turkish as 'false pepper' or 'molle tree', is actually a plant native to the And Dağları, particularly the Peru, Şili, and Bolivya regions. However, over the years, it has adapted perfectly to Bogota's climate and soil structure, becoming one of the most common and fundamental ornamental trees in the city. According to data from the Bogota Botanik Bahçesi, there are exactly over 23.700 false pepper trees just within the capital's borders. These trees are cultivated densely, especially in residential areas such as Kennedy, Bosa, Ciudad Bolívar, and Puente Aranda. Thanks to its durable structure and resistance to drought, it has become an indispensable species preferred in urban landscaping.

The false pepper tree presents an extremely elegant and aesthetic appearance with its thin, drooping branches and greenish-gray leaves. When fully grown, it generally reaches a height of 8 to 10 meters in the city, while in its natural habitat, this height can even exceed 25 meters. One of the most distinctive features of the tree is the sharp, aromatic scent emitted from its leaves and branches; because a fragrant resin is secreted from all parts of the plant. This species, which can bloom for a large part of the year, produces tiny white flowers that later turn into those famous pink and purplish fruits. Although these fruits, which hang in clusters and resemble peppercorns, seem like an indispensable part of the urban landscape, they actually serve as an important food source for birds ecologically.

The fruits of this tree, beyond being a visual richness or food for birds, have also been frequently used by people for various purposes throughout history. It is known that the fruits got the name 'false pepper' because they were substituted for black pepper (Piper nigrum), and in Güney Amerika countries, they are soaked in salted water and sold commercially as 'pink pepper'. However, it is necessary to be very careful regarding the consumption of these fruits; because when eaten in excessive amounts, they can cause serious poisonings, especially in children. The aromatic resin produced by the tree, on the other hand, has found wide use in traditional medicine from the past to the present with its antimicrobial, analgesic, and insect-repellent properties. In fact, it has been recorded that in some regions, it is also used in making toothpaste or as a natural gum to strengthen gums.

Another common plant that adorns the green areas of Bogota and leaves red beads is the ornamental shrub called 'cotoneaster'. This shrub species, which is even more common than the false pepper tree, is a landscaping element frequently preferred in parks, gardens, and along sidewalks. Because it is visually very attractive and durable, it attracts great interest from landscape architects, but it actually carries the potential to be an invasive species. Because it adapts easily and reproduces rapidly, it is frequently debated by experts that it could pose a threat to local vegetation in some areas. For this reason, conscious intervention and maintenance are essential in garden and landscape management so that these species planted for aesthetic concerns do not spread uncontrollably over time.