Practical
Plants

Pistacia atlantica

Betoum

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Pistacia genus in the family Pistaciaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
20 m
Fertility
self sterile
Flower type
dioecious

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Fruit - raw[10][4]. A turpentine flavour[5]. The fruit is about 8mm long and 6mm wide and contains a single seed[6]. An excellent edible oil is obtained from the seed[5].

Plant part
Fruit
Product or use
Oil

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Antiseptic[12].

Product or use
Antiseptic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Used as a rootstock for P. vera, the pistachio nut[5]. A resin is obtained from the tree[3]. No more details. A gum is obtained from the tree. It is used medicinally[12]. It is possible that the gum and the resin are the same thing[K]. Tannin is obtained from galls that develop on the tree as a result of a fungus. It is used to make an ink and a dye[10]. The leaves contain 22.2% tannin[7]. The wood is useful[9].

Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Gum
Product or use
Ink
Product or use
Resin
Product or use
Tannin
Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Secondary canopy

Environment

Range
S. Europe to N. Africa.
Habitat
Dry hillsides, cemeteries, field edges and roadsides from sea level to 1500 metres in Turkey[12].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 9+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Pre-soak the seed for 16 hours in alkalized water[11], or for 3 - 4 days in warm water[1], and sow late winter in a cold frame or greenhouse[11][2]. Two months cold stratification may speed up germination, so it might be better to sow the seed in early winter[2]. 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[K]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood from juvenile trees, July in a frame[2]. Layering.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a sunny position in a deep well-drained light soil[6]. Succeeds in dry soils. This species is not very cold-hardy in Britain[1], though it can succeed outdoors in the mildest areas of the country. This plant is sometimes grown near P. vera, the pistachio, as a pollinator[5]. Any pruning that needs to be done is best carried out in the spring[8]. Plants are prone to fungal root rots[6]. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Rosengarten. jnr. F. The Book of Edible Nuts. Walker & Co. 1984-00-00 ISBN 0802707699

    ↩

  4. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  5. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  6. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  7. Rottsieper. E.H.W. Vegetable Tannins The Forestal Land, Timber and Railways Co. Ltd. 1946-00-00

    ↩

  8. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩

  9. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  10. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩1↩2

  11. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  12. Davis. P. H. Flora of Turkey. Edinburgh University Press 1965-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

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