π Pistacia terebinthus, commonly known as terebinth or turpentine tree, is a deciduous small tree or large shrub of the Anacardiaceae (cashew) family. Native to the Mediterranean region, including the Canary Islands, Morocco, Portugal, Greece, and Turkey, it thrives in rocky, sun-exposed habitats up to 600β―m above sea level. It tolerates summer droughts and moderate frost.
The tree grows 5β10β―m tall, occasionally up to 10β―m. Leaves are compound, pinnate, 10β20β―cm long with 3β11 glossy oval leaflets, leathery and bright green. Flowers are reddish-purple, appearing in early spring alongside new leaves. Fruits are small globular drupes, 5β7β―mm long, turning from red to black when ripe. The plant emits a strong resinous aroma and produces aromatic galls shaped like goat horns.
Pistacia terebinthus is dioecious, meaning male and female plants must be present for fruit production. The species hybridizes frequently with Pistacia lentiscus, and similar species in the Eastern Mediterranean include Pistacia palaestina, which shares its ecological niche.
πΏ Uses:
Source of turpentine, historically called Chian, Scio, or Cyprian turpentine.
Fruits used in traditional bread in Cyprus and to flavor pomace brandy in Crete.
Shoots consumed as a vegetable in Northern Sporades.
Bark and galls used for tannins, aromatic extracts, and recently for anti-inflammatory triterpenes.
In Turkey, roasted fruits make a coffee-like beverage (menengiç kahvesi) and oil for soap.
Terebinth resin historically preserved wine in ancient Israel and the Near East.
πΏ Habitat & Cultivation:
Prefers sunny locations, well-drained soils, tolerates lime and some salinity.
Can grow in garrigue, maquis, deciduous forests, and oak woodlands.
More moisture-demanding than mastic (Pistacia lentiscus) and more cold-tolerant.
Often multi-stemmed if grown as a shrub.
Propagates by seeds and shoots.
πΏ History & Cultural Significance:
Possibly referenced in Linear B tablets as "ki-ta-no" (Mycenaean Greece).
Mentioned in Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) as "elah" (plural "elim").
Latin and Greek names trace back to Ancient Greek ΟΞ΅ΟΞΞ²ΞΉΞ½ΞΈΞΏΟ.
Appears in Virgilβs Aeneid as a symbol of strength and craftsmanship.
Historical references include ritual meals and medicinal uses in ancient Persia and Greece.
πΏ Sowing Calendar & Tips:
| Stage | Notes |
|---|---|
| Pretreatment | Soak seeds 12β24β―h in water π§ |
| Sowing | Scatter on well-drained soil; lightly cover π± |
| Germination | Keep moist, bright location; 10β20β―Β°C π |
| Transplant | Seedlings 4β6 true leaves β larger pots or protected outdoor spot πΏ |
| Care | Moderate watering; full sun; frost-tolerant once established βοΈ |
| Growth | Dioecious β plant male & female for seeds; slow-growing long-lived tree π³ |
π References & Further Reading:
π Wikipedia β Pistacia terebinthus
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