Uses
Edible uses
Notes
A sweet liquorice-flavoured resin, called 'mastic', is obtained from incisions made into the bark of the trunk, but not into the wood[1][2][3][4][5]. The odour is agreeable and the taste mild and resinous, when chewed it becomes soft and so can easily be masticated[6]. It is chewed to strengthen the gums and as a breath sweetener and also used as a flavouring in puddings, sweets (including 'Turkish delight') cakes etc[1][5]. It is also the basis of a Greek confectionery called 'masticha' and a liqueur called 'mastiche'[5][7].
An edible oil is obtained from the seed[1][8][9].
Material uses
The resin 'mastic' is obtained by making incisions in the bark (not the trunk) of the tree from mid summer to the autumn[7]. It can be dried and used as a powder, or distilled for oil and essence[7]. It is used in high grade varnishes, as a fixative in perfumes, tooth pastes, glue (especially for false beards), embalming, a temporary filling for teeth etc[10][2][11][3][4][12][13][7]. It is used to seal the edges of microscope mounts and is also chewed to preserve the teeth and gums[4].
An oil obtained from the seed is used for lighting, soap making etc[10][8].
The leaves contain up to 19% tannin, they are often used as an adulterant of sumac, Rhus coriaria[14].Unknown part
Medicinal uses(Warning!)
Mastic was at one time greatly used in herbal medicine, the resin obtained from the tree (see below for more details) being used[6]. It is little used in modern herbalism though it could be employed as an expectorant for bronchial troubles and coughs and as a treatment for diarrhoea[15].
The resin is analgesic, antitussive, carminative, diuretic, expectorant, odontalgic, sedative and stimulant[6][11][16]. It is mixed with other substances and used as a temporary filling for carious teeth[6][10][15]. Internally it is used in the treatment of diarrhoea in children[6][10] and externally it is applied to boils, ulcers, ringworm and muscular stiffness[7][15].
Unknown part
Ecology
Ecosystem niche/layer
Ecological Functions
Nothing listed.
Forage
Nothing listed.
Shelter
Nothing listed.
Propagation
Pre-soak the seed for 16 hours in alkalized water[17], or for 3 - 4 days in warm water[18], and sow late winter in a cold frame or greenhouse[17][19]. Two months cold stratification may speed up germination, so it might be better to sow the seed in early winter[19]. 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[19].
Layering.Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Pistacia lentiscus. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.
Cultivation
Succeeds in any ordinary garden soil[18][2], preferring a hot dry position in full sun[20]. Prefers a well-drained to dry sandy or stony alkaline soil[7].
This species is not very hardy in Britain. It normally requires the protection of a south-facing wall[2][13] but can succeed in a hot dry position in the milder areas of the country[20]. The mastic tree is cultivated in southern Europe for its resin[11]. It is a very variable plant, a form with broad leaves yielding the best resin[4]. It is likely to need long hot and dry summers in order to yield its resin, and so is unlikely to produce it very freely in Britain. Any pruning that needs to be done is best carried out in the spring[7].
Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.Crops
Problems, pests & diseases
Associations & Interactions
There are no interactions listed for Pistacia lentiscus. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.
Polycultures & Guilds
There are no polycultures listed which include Pistacia lentiscus.
Descendants
Cultivars
Varieties
None listed.
Subspecies
None listed.
Full Data
This table shows all the data stored for this plant.
Taxonomy
Binomial name
Pistacia lentiscus
Genus
Pistacia
Family
Pistaciaceae
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
9
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
- Drought
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
None listed.
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
References
- ? 1.01.11.21.3 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
- ? 2.02.12.22.32.42.52.6 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
- ? 3.03.13.23.3 Schery. R. W. Plants for Man. ()
- ? 4.04.14.24.34.44.5 Howes. F. N. Vegetable Gums and Resins. Faber ()
- ? 5.05.15.25.3 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
- ? 6.06.16.26.36.46.56.6 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
- ? 7.07.17.27.37.47.57.67.77.87.9 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
- ? 8.08.18.28.3 Polunin. O. and Huxley. A. Flowers of the Mediterranean. Hogarth Press ISBN 0-7012-0784-1 (1987-00-00)
- ? 9.09.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
- ? 10.010.110.210.310.410.5 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-00-00)
- ? 11.011.111.211.311.4 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
- ? 12.012.1 Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press (1952-00-00)
- ? 13.013.113.213.3 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
- ? 14.014.1 Rottsieper. E.H.W. Vegetable Tannins The Forestal Land, Timber and Railways Co. Ltd. (1946-00-00)
- ? 15.015.115.215.3 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
- ? 16.016.1 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
- ? 17.017.1 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
- ? 18.018.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
- ? 19.019.119.2 Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press ISBN 0942375009 (1987-00-00)
- ? 20.020.1 Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent (1990-00-00)
- ? ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press (1964-00-00)
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