Family: Anacardiaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 1026 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Pistacia
Vegetable: False
Observations: Canary Is., Medit.
Description
The Chios mastictree, known scientifically as Pistacia lentiscus, is a versatile and ever-relevant plant that has been recognized since its documentation in 1753 by botanist Carl Linnaeus. This resilient evergreen shrub or small tree is a proud member of the Anacardiaceae family and finds its roots spread across the Canary Islands and the Mediterranean region.
Botanically intriguing and agriculturally significant, the Chios mastictree is celebrated for its multifaceted uses. One of its most renowned products is mastic, a resin obtained from incisions made in the bark. This resin has been treasured since antiquity not only for its use in culinary ventures, where it flavors everything from liqueurs to sweets, but also in the medical and cosmetic industries. Mastic has been traditionally employed to improve digestion, act as a breath freshener, and even in dental care due to its antibacterial properties.
This plant typically flourishes in rocky, arid terrains where water is a commodity in short supply. Its ability to thrive in such conditions speaks volumes about its hardiness and adaptability. The Chios mastictree’s foliage, which is dense and aromatic, is characteristically dark green, oval-shaped, and leathery, providing a robust cover that endures through dry spells.
Aside from its practical applications, the Chios mastictree holds cultural and ecological significance. In many Mediterranean cultures, this plant is carved into the landscape of tradition and everyday life. Ecologically, it plays a crucial role in stabilizing soils and providing habitats for various fauna, thereby maintaining the delicate balance of its native ecosystem.
Today, the legacy of the Chios mastictree continues as conservation efforts aim to preserve not just the tree itself, but the cultural practices it supports. Its enduring presence is a testament to the resilience and resourcefulness inherent in both nature and the communities that harmonize with its growth.
Common Names
Eng: chios mastictree, lentiscus, lentisk, mastic, mastic tree, masticshrub, mastictree
Deu: mastix-pistazie, mastixbaum, mastixstrauch
Por: alfostigueiro, almecegueira, aroeira-da-praia
Spa: almácigo, lentisco
Fra: arbre au mastic, lentisque
Ita: corno-capra, dentischio, lentisco
Swe: mastixbuske
Ara: المسكة
En: Chios mastictree, Lentiscus, Lentisk, Mastic, Masticshrub, Mastictree, Mastic tree, Cyprus Sumac
Ar: Mustik, بطم عدسي, المسكة
Hy: Պիստակենի իսկական
Az: Mastika püstəsi
Eu: Legeltxor
Bg: Мастиково дърво
Ca: Llentiscle
Zh: 乳香黃連木, 乳香黄连木
Co: Listincu
Hr: Tršlja
Cs: Řečík lentišek
Da: Mastikstræ
Dv: މަސްތަކާ
Nl: Mastikboom, Mastiekboom
Eo: Lentisko
Fi: Mastiksipistaasi
Fr: Lentisque, Arbre au mastic, Pistachier lentisque
Gl: Lentisco
De: Mastix-Pistazie, Mastixbaum, Mastixstrauch, Lentisk, Mastixpistacie, Mastixpistazie
El: Μαστίχα, Μαστιχόδεντρο
He: אלת המסטיק
Io: Lentisko
It: Corno-capra, Dentischio, Lentisco, Lentischio, Sondro, Stinco
Ko: 매스틱나무
Ku: Benîştok
Lt: Mastika
Gv: Billey masthag
No: Mastik
Fa: مصطکی (درخت)
Pl: Pistacja kleista
Pt: Alfostigueiro, Aroeira-da-praia, Almecegueira, Aroeira, Terebinto, Lentisco
Pt-br: Lentisco
Ru: Мастиковое дерево
Sc: Chessa
Sr: Tršlja
Es: Almácigo, Lentisco, Mastika, Entina, Mata charneca, Charneca
Sv: Mastixbuske
Zh-tw: 乳香黃連木
Th: พิสตาชีโอป่า
Zh-hant: 乳香黃連木
Tr: Sakız ağacı
Synonyms
- Pistacia multiflora (Gand.)
- Lentiscus massiliensis (Fourr.)
- Lentiscus vulgaris (Fourr.)
- Pistacia lentiscus f. lanceolata (Cout.)
- Terebinthus lentiscus ((L.) Moench)
- Pistacia lentiscus f. latifolia ((Coss.) Bolzon)
- Pistacia subfalcata (Gand.)
- Pistacia brevifolia (Gand.)
- Pistacia lentiscus var. massiliensis ((Mill.) Poir.)
- Pistacia lentiscus f. massiliensis ((Mill.) Fiori)
- Pistacia gummifera (Salisb.)
- Pistacia masslilensis (Mill.)
- Pistacia lentiscus f. leptophylla (Albo ex Fiori)
- Pistacia lentiscus var. masslilensis ((Mill.) Duhamel)
- Pistacia lentiscus var. genuina (Rouy)
- Pistacia lentiscus var. angustifolia (DC.)
- Pistacia lentiscus f. genuina (Rouy ex Cout.)
- Pistacia lentiscus var. Chia (Poir.)
- Pistacia lentiscus f. Chia ((Poir.) Cout.)
- Pistacia lentiscus subvar. brevifolia ((Gand.) Nyman)
- Pistacia lentiscus var. multiflora ((Gand.) Nyman)
- Pistacia lentiscus var. latifolia (Coss.)
- Pistacia lentiscus subvar. subfalcata ((Gand.) Nyman)
Distribution
- Albania (native)
- Algeria (native)
- Baleares (native)
- Canary Is. (native)
- Corse (native)
- Cyprus (native)
- East Aegean Is. (native)
- Egypt (native)
- France (native)
- Greece (native)
- Italy (native)
- Kriti (native)
- Lebanon-Syria (native)
- Libya (native)
- Morocco (native)
- Palestine (native)
- Portugal (native)
- Sardegna (native)
- Sicilia (native)
- Spain (native)
- Tunisia (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken Mar 26, 2022 by jack (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 31, 2022 by Bianco Pietro Massimiliano (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 17, 2020 by Angelos (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 9, 2019 by Aitor Ramiro (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 26, 2019 by Sylvie Moyroud (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Nov 24, 2021 by Richard granel (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 4, 2019 by Libor Diviš (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 24, 2019 by Gutiérrez Daniel (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 6, 2019 by pepito (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 25, 2021 by Philippe13000 (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Nov 22, 2021 by Medinka (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 23, 2017 by Erwan Partaix (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 10, 2021 by Helena Del Pozo (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 24, 2019 by Gutiérrez Daniel (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 13, 2017 by jose (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Aug 26, 2020 by Prieta Javier (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 16, 2019 by Françoise Peyrissat (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 18, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 28, 2020 by José Muñiz (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 10, 2021 by Helena Del Pozo (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Other
Taken Sep 16, 2020 by Omur Rafa (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 23, 2021 by Jaime Ghuetu (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 29, 2022 by Annemarie Thiessen (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 2, 2020 by Stéphane (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 25, 2021 by lazarino flavio (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Jan 20, 2020 by Karim BOUDANI (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 7, 2020 by robin niel (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 26, 2021 by Collados Ana (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 1, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 8, 2020 by Cristina (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3190583)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:70253-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Pistacia lentiscus L.)
Specifications
Growth habit: Shrub
Growth
Ph maximum: 6.5
Ph minimum: 5.5
Light: 7
Atmospheric humidity: 4
Bloom months: [‘apr’, ‘may’]
Soil nutriments: 5