Pistacia
(from Pistake, the old Greek name, used by Theophrastus, and that from the Persian Pista). SYN. Terebinthus. ORD. Anacardiaceae. A genus comprising half-a-dozen species of hardy, small-growing trees, five of which are natives of the Mediterranean region, from Western Asia to the Canary Islands, and the sixth Mexican. Flowers small, apetalous, dioecious, disposed in axillary panicles or racemes; pedicels bracteate at base. Fruit a one-seeded, dry drupe. Leaves alternate, perennial or deciduous, trifoliolate or pari-or impari-pinnate. P. Lentiscus, P. Terebinthus, and P. vera, are trees of great economic value. The species in cultivation thrive best in a rich, deep, sandy loam, and against a wall. Propagated by layers, or by cuttings.
P. atlantica (Atlantic). fl. in loose, panicled racemes; anthers deep red. l. impari-pinnate; leaflets usually nine, tapering to the base. h. 40ft. Canaries, 1790. Evergreen.
P. Lentiscus (Lentiscus). Mastich-tree. fl. green, on loose racemes, which issue from the sides of the branches. Spring. l. abruptly pinnate; leaflets eight, lanceolate; petioles winged. h. 20ft. South Europe, 1664. Evergreen. This plant yields the drug known as "mastich." (B. M. Pl. 68.) The variety angustifolia has almost linear leaflets; whereas in the form known as Chia they are ovate.
P. Terebinthus (Terebinthus). Turpentine-tree. fl. greenish, disposed in large, compound panicles; anthers dull yellow; stigmas crimson. June. l., leaflets usually numerous, ovate-lanceolate, rounded at the base, acute and mucronate at the apex. h. 30ft. South Europe, 1656. Deciduous. The red hue of the young leaves of this species is very beautiful. The resin, the Chian or Cyprus turpentine, is obtained from this tree, the liquid flowing from incisions made in the trunk. (B. M. Pl. 69.) P. vera (true). Pistachio Nut-tree. fl. brownish-green. April. fr. panicled, about 1in. long, ovate, with an oblique point, reddish. l. pinnate; leaflets ovate, tapering a little to the base, rather mucronate at the apex. h. 20ft. Syria, 1770. Deciduous.