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Pistacia - Desf.

Common Name Betoum, Mt. Atlas mastic tree, Mount Atlas Mastic
Family Pistaciaceae
USDA hardiness 6-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Dry hillsides, cemeteries, field edges and roadsides from sea level to 1500 metres in Turkey[93].
Range S. Europe to N. Africa.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Half Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Pistacia Betoum, Mt. Atlas mastic tree, Mount Atlas  Mastic


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Eitan_f
Pistacia Betoum, Mt. Atlas mastic tree, Mount Atlas  Mastic
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Eitan_f

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Green. Main Bloom Time: Mid spring. Form: Oval, Rounded, Spreading or horizontal, Vase.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of lolypop
Pistacia is a deciduous Tree growing to 20 m (65ft 7in) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). . The plant is not self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[61, 177]. A turpentine flavour[183]. The fruit is about 8mm long and 6mm wide and contains a single seed[200]. An excellent edible oil is obtained from the seed[183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


Antiseptic[93].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Used as a rootstock for P. vera, the pistachio nut[183]. A resin is obtained from the tree[117]. No more details. A gum is obtained from the tree. It is used medicinally[93]. It is possible that the gum and the resin are the same thing[K]. Tannin is obtained from galls that develop on the tree as a result of a fungus. It is used to make an ink and a dye[61]. The leaves contain 22.2% tannin[223]. The wood is useful[46].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a sunny position in a deep well-drained light soil[200]. Succeeds in dry soils. This species is not very cold-hardy in Britain[1], though it can succeed outdoors in the mildest areas of the country. This plant is sometimes grown near P. vera, the pistachio, as a pollinator[183]. Any pruning that needs to be done is best carried out in the spring[238]. Plants are prone to fungal root rots[200]. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. Special Features:Not North American native, Naturalizing, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 16 hours in alkalized water[78], or for 3 - 4 days in warm water[1], and sow late winter in a cold frame or greenhouse[78, 113]. Two months cold stratification may speed up germination, so it might be better to sow the seed in early winter[113]. The germination is variable and can be slow. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow on the plants for at least their first winter in a greenhouse. Plant out into their permanent positions in early summer and consider giving some protection from winter cold for their first year or two outdoors[K]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood from juvenile trees, July in a frame[113]. Layering.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Cyprus, Egypt (Sinai), Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia TROPICAL ASIA: India (Himachal Pradesh), Pakistan EUROPE: Ukraine (Krym), Greece AFRICA: Spain (Canarias), Algeria (north), Libya (north), Morocco, Tunisia

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Pistacia atlanticaBetoum, Mt. Atlas mastic tree, Mount Atlas MasticTree20.0 6-9 SLMNDM212
Pistacia atlantica cabulica Tree0.0 -  LMNDM102
Pistacia chinensisChinese Pistache, Chinese PistachioTree9.0 6-9 SLMHNDM213
Pistacia chinensis integerrima Tree9.0 -  LMHSNDM213
Pistacia lentiscusMastic Tree - Pistachier LentisqueShrub5.0 8-9 SLMHNDM222
Pistacia terebinthusTerebinth, Cyprus turpentineTree9.0 8-11 SLMNDM222
Pistacia veraPistachio, Pistachio NutTree10.0 7-10 MLMNDM322

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

Desf.

Botanical References

1150200

Links / References

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