Pistachio (Pistacia vera, Sp. Pl.: 1025 (1753))

Family: Anacardiaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 1025 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Pistacia

Vegetable: False

Observations: C. Asia to Afghanistan

Description

The Pistachio, scientifically recognized as Pistacia vera, is a cherished member of the Anacardiaceae family, notable for its culinary and economic significance. Introduced to the scientific community by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1753, this species has garnered widespread attention and cultivation efforts.

Native to Central Asia and Afghanistan, the Pistachio tree thrives in arid regions, demonstrating remarkable adaptability and resilience. This tree typically grows to a height of 10 meters and has a broad, spreading canopy. The leaves are pinnate, showcasing a unique elliptical shape, contributing to the plant’s characteristic appearance.

Pistacia vera is particularly celebrated for its edible seeds, commonly known as pistachio nuts. Encased in a hard shell, the seeds have a distinctive green hue and a mildly sweet flavor, making them a popular ingredient in both savory and sweet dishes worldwide. Beyond their culinary use, pistachios are valued for their nutritional profile, rich in protein, dietary fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals.

Cultivation of the Pistachio tree requires specific climatic conditions, favoring hot, dry summers and cool winters. These conditions are mostly found in the Mediterranean regions, parts of the Middle East, and the southwestern United States. The tree’s resilience to drought and poor soil conditions has facilitated its spread to various parts of the world, where suitable climates are present.

Flowering typically occurs in mid-spring, heralding the development of the fruits which mature by late summer or early autumn. Pollination in pistachios is primarily driven by wind, and it is interesting to note that the trees are dioecious, necessitating both male and female trees for fruit production.

Pistachio cultivation and harvest are labor-intensive processes, yet the high market value of the nuts provides a substantial economic incentive. Once harvested, the nuts undergo a meticulous process of drying, roasting, and sometimes flavoring before reaching consumers.

In summary, the Pistachio or Pistacia vera is a versatile and valuable tree species with deep cultural and economic roots in its native regions, stretching from Central Asia to Afghanistan. Its popularity continues to grow globally, driven by the increasing demand for its delectable and nutritious nuts.

Common Names

Deu: echte pistazie, pistazie, pistazienbaum
Fra: pistachier, pistachier commun, pistachier cultivé, pistachier vrai, pistache
Eng: pistachio, pistachio nut, green-almond
Por: alfónsico, pistacheira
Spa: alfónsigo, pistachero
Ita: pistacchio
Swe: pistasch
En: Pistachio, Green-almond, Pistachio nut, Common Pistache, Common Pistachio, Green Almond, Pistacia Nut, Terebinth Nut
Af: Pimperneut
Sq: Fëstëk
Ar: Fustuq, فستق
Hy: Պիստակ
Az: Əsl püstə
Be: Фісташка сапраўдная
Bn: পেস্তা বাদাম
Br: Pistachez
Bg: Шамфъстък
My: ပစ်စတာချိုပင်
Ca: Pistatxer, Pistatxo
Zh: 开心果
Hr: Pistacija, Tršlja
Cs: Řečík pistáciový
Da: Ægte Pistacie
Dv: ޕިސްތާ ބަދަން
Nl: Pistache, Echte Pistachenoot
Eo: Pistakujo
Et: Harilik pistaatsia
Fi: Mantelipistaasi
Fr: Pistache, Pistachier, Pistachier cultivé, Pistachier commun, Pistachier vrai, Pistachier d’Alep
Gl: Pistacho
Ka: Ფსტა
De: Pistazie, Pistazienbaum, Echte Pistazie, Pistacie
El: Φιστικιά
Gu: પિસ્તા
Ht: Pistach
He: פיסטוק
Hi: पिस्ता
Io: Pistacho
Id: Pistachio
Ga: Piostáis
It: Pistacchio, Potentino, Putino
Kn: ಪಿಸ್ತಾ
Kk: Кәдімгі пыста
Ky: Мисте
Ko: 피스타치오
Ku: Fistiq
Lv: Pistācija
Lb: Pistache
Mk: Ф’стак
Ms: Pistacio
Ml: പിസ്താശി
Ne: पिस्ता
No: Pistasjnøtter
Oc: Pistacha
Or: ପିସ୍ତା
Pa: ਪਿਸਤਾ
Fa: پسته
Pl: Pistacja właściwa
Pt: Alfónsico, Pistacheira, Pistache
Ro: Fistic
Ru: Фисташка настоящая
Sr: Пистаћ
Sd: پستا
Es: Alfónsigo, Pistachero, Pistacija, Pistacho
Sv: Pistasch
Tl: Pistatso
Ta: பசுங்கொட்டை
Th: พิสตาชีโอ
Tr: Antep fıstığı
Uk: Фісташка справжня
Ur: پستہ
Vi: Hồ trăn
Vo: Pistag
Cy: Cneuen bistasio

Synonyms

• Pistacia narbonnensis (L.)
• Pistacia nemausensis (Req. ex Planch.)
• Pistacia nigricans (Crantz)
• Pistacia officinarum (Aiton)
• Pistacia trifolia (L.)
• Pistacia variifolia (Salisb.)
• Pistacia reticulata (Willd.)
• Lentiscus vera (Kuntze)
• Pistacia narbonnensis var. bauhini (Ten.)
• Pistacia badghysi (K.P.Popov)
• Terebinthus pistacia (Dum.Cours.)
• Pistacia macrophylla (Pers.)
• Pistacia vera f. semidehiscens (K.P.Popov)
• Pistacia vera var. trifolia ((L.) Poir.)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• Bulgaria (introduced)
• East Aegean Is. (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Greece (introduced)
• Iran (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Libya (introduced)
• Morocco (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)
• Turkey (introduced)

Additional Images

© 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.

Fruit

Taken Sep 5, 2022 by moneem barhoumi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 17, 2019 by Bernd Amann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 1, 2018 by Bauer Otto (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2015 by Émile Maurice (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 11, 2020 by perunswarog (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jul 21, 2022 by Emma Pourcel (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 20, 2020 by lionel minassian (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 1, 2018 by Bauer Otto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 26, 2022 by Elvira Hernández (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 22, 2019 by Wa’id Benneji (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 3, 2014 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 6, 2021 by Colin Fontvieille (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 2018 by LUCAS survey – European Union (©)

Taken Jul 1, 2021 by MANUEL MARTIN-GAITERO LOPEZ DE LA MANZANARA (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 29, 2015 by LUCAS survey – European Union (©)

Bark

Taken Mar 27, 2022 by Elius Elius (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 14, 2020 by Javier García Cano (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 25, 2021 by muriel hebert (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 12, 2021 by Alexandra (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 4, 2021 by marisa_10 (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jun 11, 2016 by Marc Vercaigne (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 1, 2008 by herve rey (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 1, 2008 by herve rey (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 11, 2016 by Marc Vercaigne (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 24, 2020 by schlag (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jan 1, 2021 by Torres Blanca (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 14, 2020 by Javier García Cano (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 2, 2021 by Añesca (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 30, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Pierre SEBA (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3190585)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:70280-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Pistacia vera L.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Shrub

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 6.5

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 4

Soil nutriments: 6