Common Name(s): Mastic Tree, Evergreen Pistache, Lentish Pistache

Synonym(s):

Family: Anacardiaceae

Native To: Mediterranean

Native Habitat: Sandy soil and dry, rocky slopes

Growth Habit: Small, irregular evergreen tree

Flowering: Red male flowers and greenish-white female flowers from about February to May

Distinguishing Characteristics: This evergreen species grows either as an irregular shrub, or as a short single or multi-stemmed tree. It grows typically to heights of 12 to 25 feet with an equal or greater spread. The crown is globular and dense. The trunk is reddish when young, turning gray when older. The leaves are pinnately compound, yellow green when young, and dark green when older. It is not uncommon to see some reddening of the leaves at times. The leaves contain 3 to 5 pairs of 1-inch leaflets. The leaflets have a winged petiole, smooth edges, and are oval shaped. The inconspicuous flowers form from February to May. The male flowers are dark red and the female ones are greenish in color. The rarely present berrylike fruit is red to black and forms on dense spikes.

Natural History and Cultivation Notes: The species name means flexible or sticky, most likely referring to the gum (mastic) the tree is valued for.

Ethnobotany: P. lentiscus is highly valued for its “gum” or mastic. The mastic is used to make perfumes (Grasse is one popular brand), chewing gum, pharmaceuticals, dental adhesives, and varnishes for protecting pictures. The pleasantly fragrant shoots are cut and sold in the spring separately or as a part of bouquets.

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