Common Name: Terebinth

General Information

Pistacia terebinthus is a deciduous shrub or a tree usually growing from 2 - 6 metres tall, occasionally reaching 12 metres[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for mainly local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It has occasionally been cultivated for its resin in the past, and is often used as a rootstock for the cultivated pistachio nut (Pistacia vera)[].
Pistacia terebinthus is common and widespread across much of its native global distribution. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2016)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Mediterranean region - Portugal to Greece and Turkey, south to Egypt and Saudi Arabis; N. Africa - Morocco to Libya

Habitat

Dry open woods and scrub, often on slopes, usually in calcareous soils; at elevations up to 1,850 metres[, , ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	9.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Pistacia terebinthus is somewhat cold-hardy and can tolerate short-lived frosts with temperatures down to around -5 to -8°c when it is fully dormant. It does require hot summers if it is to fully ripen its wood - when growing in areas with cool summers it is likely to be much more sensitive to cold damage[, ].
Requires a deep well-drained light soil[], preferring a hot dry position in full sun[]. It grows best in a sandy to stony alkaline soil[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[].
A slow-growing plant[].
Any pruning that needs to be done is best carried out in the spring[].
The leaves have a pleasant resinous odour[].
Most forms are dioecious, in which case both male and female forms must be grown if seed is required. Some plants have been discovered in Bulgaria that are monoecious[].

Edible Uses

Seed - raw or cooked[]. A sweetish flavour[, ]. Used in pastries[]. It is sweeter and oilier than an almond[].

An edible oil is obtained from the seed[, ].

The immature, red fruits, including the stems, are preserved in vinegar and salt. Known as 'atsjaar', they are used as a relish to accompany wines served during meals[]. The fruit is about 7mm long and 6 mm wide, it contains a single seed[].

A coffee-like drink is made from the fruit[].

Young leaves - cooked and used as a vegetable[, ].

A resin from the trunk is used as a vegetable and as a chewing gum[, ].

Medicinal

The resin obtained from incisions in the bark is antidote, antiinflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, cytostatic, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, laxative, stimulant and vulnerary[, ]. It is taken internally in the treatment of asthma and chronic bronchial infections; streptococcal, urinary and renal infections; haemorrhage, gallstones, tapeworm and rheumatism[].
Externally, the resin is used to treat wounds, arthritis, gout, skin conditions including leprosy, scabies and lice; sciatica[, ].
The resin has also been used in the treatment of cancer[].

The plant is rich in tannins and is used as an astringent[]. The part is not specified, but it is likely to be the galls formed as a result of insect intestation.

The fruits (this report is likely to be referring more specifically to the seed[]) are said to be aphrodisiac and diuretic[]. They are used in the treatment of colds and flu, problems in the digestive system. As well as liver, kidney, heart, and respiratory system disorders[].

The leaves are astringent, diuretic and hypotensive. They are used in the treatment of diabetes, stomach aches. diarrhoea and jaundice[].

Other Uses

The resin 'Cyprus turpentine' is obtained from incisions made in the bark (not the trunk) of the tree[, , , , , ]. The incisions are made from mid summer to mid autumn[]. The resin is mainly used medicinally in the treatment of cancer[] and also as a chewing gum. It can be used as an incense[].

The plant can be used as a rootstock for the pistachio nut (Pistacia vera), being valued especially for its high drought resistance[, ].

A red dye is obtained from galls that are formed on the leaves as a result of aphid infestation[].
The galls are a good source of tannins, containing 60% tannin and 15% gallic acid[, ].
The plant is a source of tannin[].

Pistacia terebinthus belongs to the secondary Gene Pool of the cultivated Pistachio (Pistacia vera) and so it has the potential for use as a gene donor for crop improvement[].

The brown wood is very attractive. It can be used for carpentry and cabinet making[].

Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 16 hours in alkalized water[], or for 3 - 4 days in warm water[], and sow late winter in a cold frame or greenhouse[, ]. Two months cold stratification may speed up germination, so it might be better to sow the seed in early winter[]. The germination is variable and can be slow. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow on the plants for at least their first winter in a greenhouse. Plant out into their permanent positions in early summer and consider giving some protection from winter cold for their first year or two outdoors[].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood from juvenile trees, July in a frame[].
Layering.