Pistacia lentiscus
Le pistachier lentisque
Mastic Tree
Additional information
| Plant family | |
|---|---|
| Area | Provence Verte |
| Flower colour | red |
| Flower size | 30 mm |
| Flowering months | March, April, May, June |
| Leaf type | Pinnate |
| Height | 3 m |
Description
The Mastic Tree is native to the Mediterranean region. When crushed, the leaves give off a strong resin smell.
On the Greek Island of Chios the resin is collected by making incisions in the trunk.
The wood is used in carpentry, toothpicks and cabinet making.
Flowers
Flowers in clusters, the male with dark red anthersupper fertile part of the stamen containing the pollen, the female green.
Leaves
Pinnate row of leaflets on either side of the stem . Rows of leaflets on either side of the stem, no end leaflet.
Fruits Seeds
Berry: red, 4-5 mm.
Edible
Resin: in confectionary like ‘Turkish Delight’. One of the earliest uses of mastic was in chewing gum.
Medical
Resin: called ‘Gum Mastic’ is used to treat peptic ulcers. It has been used to treat the Helicobacter pylori bacteria.
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