Pistacia lentiscus aka Lentisk

Pistacia lentiscus is known as mastic tree or lentisk. It belongs to the cashew family, Anacardiaceae. Its native range spans the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands. It grows in open woods and scrub on dry slopes. These sites often lie near the coast. This evergreen shrub can also form a small tree. Its rounded, bushy crown gives year-round cover in mild gardens.

Garden plants reach about 8–13 feet [2.5–4 metres] tall and wide. The RHS description gives a lower height of 10 feet [3 metres]. Its green leaves feel tough and leathery and have a scent. Each pinnate leaf has up to seven pairs of leaflets. Small flowers appear from late spring into early summer. Male plants bear tight groups of reddish flowers. Female plants bear looser groups of brownish-green flowers. After pollination, female flowers form small, round fruits. These start red and turn black as they ripen.

Give this plant full sun and shelter from cold winds. It needs soil that drains well and has moderate fertility. Chalk, loam and sand suit it, across a broad pH range. It tolerates drought and suits coastal and Mediterranean-style gardens. Outdoors, the RHS advises mild sites without frost. Its H2 rating means it cannot withstand freezing conditions. PFAF lists USDA zones 8–9, so the hardiness guidance differs. In colder places, use a greenhouse or a movable pot. Use peat-free, loam-based compost with added sharp sand for pots. Keep these plants in full light through winter.

Cuts in the bark yield the resin called mastic. People chew it and use it to flavour sweets and cakes. It also flavours liqueurs, and the seeds yield an edible oil. The resin has a history of use in herbal medicine. Past uses include cough remedies and temporary tooth fillings. These records do not establish that such treatments work. PFAF notes a small risk of diarrhoea in children. It also warns against swallowing the essential oil. Resin uses extend to varnish, perfume, toothpaste and glue. Seed oil also serves in soap making, while leaves contain tannin.

The RHS reports few pest problems, but fungal root rot can occur. Plants under glass may need pruning to limit their size. Raise new plants from seed or take softwood cuttings. The RHS places cutting time in late spring or early summer. Plants reach their mature size in about five to ten years.