Pistacia lentiscus (Mastic, Lentisk)
Pistacia lentiscus is a widespread shrub or small tree species in the Mediterranean scrubland associated with other elements of the scrub. It flourishes from sea level to a height up to 600-700 meters with myrtle and olives. The plant is low spreading with evergreen pinnately compound leaves. The shrub has a strong resin odor. The male and female flowers are separate but both can be found on the same plant and it blooms in April/May. The fruit is a red drupe.
Pistacia is a plant which is sun and heat tolerant and resists conditions of great aridity, making it most suitable for this type of terrain. It prefers, however, sandy soils, where it flourishes, reaching the dimensions of a small, twisted tree, or, more commonly, a bush. In landscaping it is often used as a hedge, or mass plantation.
Resin is extracted from the plant in autumn by cutting into the trees' s trunk and branches. When in contact with the air, the resin collects and forms small, dark masses that are then removed. This resin is used for preparing varnishes and in the Near East this mastic is used as chewing gum to whiten the teeth.
- Landscape Information
- Botanical Description
- Horticulture Management
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By Júlio Reis (User:Tintazul) (Original File) [CC BY-SA 2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons
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By Laura Morelli (photo taken in North-Sardinia by the uploader) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], via Wikimedia Commons
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By Xemenendura (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY-SA 4.0-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
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By Retama 11:09, 14 April 2007 (UTC) (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC BY-SA 2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
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By H. Zell (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
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French Name: Lentisque, Pistachier lentisque
Arabic Name: البطم
Pronunciation: piss-TAY-shee-uh
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Plant type: Shrub
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Origin: Mediterraneaen Basin
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Hardiness Zones: 9 to 11
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Uses: Hedge, Wildlife
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Size/Shape
Growth Rate: Slow
Tree Shape: Round
Canopy Symmetry: Irregular
Canopy Density: Dense
Canopy Texture: Medium
Height at Maturity: 1.5 to 3 m
Spread at Maturity: 1.5 to 3 meters
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Companion Plants: Myrtle, olives
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Foliage
Leaf Arrangement : Opposite
Leaf Venation: Pinnate
Leaf Persistance: Evergreen
Leaf Type: Even Pinnately compound
Leaf Blade: 5 - 10 cm
Leaf Shape: Lanceolate
Leaf Margins: Entire
Leaf Texture: Waxy
Leaf Scent: Pleasant
Color(growing season): Green
Color(changing season): Green
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Flower
Flower Color: White
Seasons: Spring, Summer
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Trunk
Trunk Susceptibility to Breakage: Generally resists breakage
Number of Trunks: Multi-Trunked
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Fruit
Fruit Type: Drupe
Fruit Showiness: Yes
Fruit Size Range: 0 - 1.5
Fruit Color: Red
Seasons: Spring, Summer
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Tolerance
Frost Tolerant: Yes
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Requirements
Soil Requirements: Loam, Sand
Soil Ph Requirements: Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Water Requirements: Moderate, Low
Light Requirements: Full
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Management
Pruning Requirements: Needed, to develop a strong structure
Fruit/ Leaves/ Flowers litter: No
Life Span: 25-50 years
Plant Propagation: Seed, Cutting