Pistacia atlantica

Pistacia atlantica is a species of pistachio tree known by the English common name Mt. Atlas mastic tree, Atlas pistachio, Atlantic pistacio, Atlantic terebinth, wild pistachio, and Cyprus turpentine tree. P. atlantica has three subspecies or varieties which have been described as atlantica, cabulica, and mutica. According to molecular phylogenetic studies, P. atlantica subsp. kurdica is actually a separate species, Pistacia eurycarpa.

Description

It is like Terebinth. A small deciduous tree. It grows 5-10 m high. The leaves have hairy stalks. The leaf stalk has narrow wings. The leaflets are sword shaped. The fruit are fleshy and 5-7 mm long by 4-6 mm wide. They are oval.

Edible Uses

The fruit can be eaten raw and has a turpentine flavour; each fruit is about 8mm long and 6mm wide and contains a single seed. An excellent edible oil is obtained from the seed.

Traditional Uses

The fruit are eaten raw. The dried fruit are added to parched wheat. The nuts are crushed to produce an edible oil. The seeds are pounded and mixed with pounded dates.

Medicinal Uses

The gum obtained from the tree is used as an antiseptic.

Distribution

They suit dry Mediterranean regions. It grows in rocky places and open woodland. It cannot tolerate frost. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall of 50-800 mm. It suits arid places. It can grow in arid places. In Brisbane Botanical Gardens.

Where It Grows

Afghanistan, Africa, Algeria, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Britain, Canary Islands, Caucasus, Central Asia, Colombia, Cyprus, Egypt - Sinai, Europe, Greece, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Mediterranean, Middle East, Morocco, North Africa, Pakistan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sinai, Slovenia, South America, Spain - Canary Islands, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye, Ukraine,

Cultivation

Requires a sunny position in a deep well-drained light soil. Succeeds in dry soils. This species is not very cold-hardy in Britain, 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. Any pruning that needs to be done is best carried out in the spring. Plants are prone to fungal root rots. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

Propagation

Pre-soak seed for 16 hours in alkalized water, or for 3–4 days in warm water, then sow in late winter in a cold frame or greenhouse. Two months of cold stratification may speed germination, in which case sowing in early winter may be preferable. Germination is variable and can be slow. Prick seedlings out into individual pots when large enough to handle and grow them on for at least their first winter under glass. Plant out into permanent positions in early summer, with some frost protection considered advisable for the first year or two. Propagation is also possible by cuttings of half-ripe wood from juvenile trees taken in July in a frame, or by layering.

Other Uses

The tree is used as a rootstock for P. vera, the pistachio nut. A resin is obtained from the tree, and a gum is also obtained — it is possible these are the same substance. Galls that form on the tree as a result of fungal infection yield tannin, which is used to make both an ink and a dye. The leaves contain 22.2% tannin. The wood is considered useful.

Production

It grows slowly.

Notes

There are 9-11 Pistacia species. Biblical references Genesis 35:4; Joshua 24:26; 2 Samuel 18:9, 14;

Also Known As

Almacigo, Atlantic terebinth, Betoum, Botum, Butum, Halibah, Mastic tree, Mt Atlas pistache, Teil tree

References (22)

• Al-Qura'n, S. A., 2010, Ethnobotanical and Ecological Studies of Wild Edible Plants in Jordan. Libyan Agriculture Research Center Journal International 1(4):231-243
• Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 462
• Bailey, C. and Danin, A., 1981, Bedouin Plant Utilization in Sinai and the Negev. Economic Botany 35(2): 145-162
• Blamey, M and Grey-Wilson, C., 2005, Wild flowers of the Mediterranean. A & C Black London. p 127
• Della, A., et al, 2006, An ethnobotanical survey of wild edible plants of Paphos and Larnaca countryside of Cyprus. J. Ethnobiol. Ethnomed. 2:34

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