An evergreen shrub very common throughout the Mediterranean. It often grows as a tree and can reach a height of up to 8 meters (tree-like). In the Anacardiaceae family, the genus Pistacia includes about 15 species, among which are Pistacia vera (Pistachio) and Pistacia terebinthus (Trimithia).
The holm oak, one of the most characteristic thermophilic species of the Mediterranean maquis vegetation, is extremely resistant to drought, pollution, various diseases, and all kinds of extreme conditions (notably, it even grows in the shade of pine trees, where, according to tradition, «nothing grows»). It takes only a few days for it to sprout new shoots after forest fires, reducing the risk of soil erosion. In recent years, its value as an ornamental plant has been recognized, offering striking solutions in landscape architecture with its dense, deep-green foliage and bright red fruits in the fall. Its wood is used to make high-quality charcoal for heating. In Cyprus, its branches are used to smoke cured meats, giving them their characteristic aroma, while in some areas in the past, tobacco leaves were flavored in the same way.
Its small, spherical fruits, which are initially a vivid red, turn black when fully ripe; are edible, have a strong peppery aroma, and are used dried as a spice. The flexible twigs were used to make sticks, ties, and various utensils and baskets for food.
An oil rich in unsaturated fatty acids is produced from the fruits and leaves (Ben Daoued et al., 2016;) and essential oils that have been used since ancient times for therapeutic purposes, a fact confirmed by modern research. S. Landau, et al. Traditional Uses of Pistacia lentiscus in Veterinary and Human Medicine. Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of the World, 2014
Dioscorides, *On Medical Substances*, 1.70
On the schinus: the schinus is a well-known tree, entirely astringent; for its fruit, its leaves, and the bark of its branches and root are all equally potent. And it becomes
and a decoction made from the bark, the root, and the dried leaves [1] with enough water, and then after it has been boiled [2] the leaves fluttering, and the water once again splashing—
until [3] honey-like in consistency. It forms a plug to prevent blood from flowing back and spilling out.
for abdominal pain and dysentery, and for uterine bleeding and prolapse
a belt and a ring, and he has neither a cloak nor a tunic
to be used; and the pulp of the crushed leaves has the same effect. {2} And the decoction
It fills what is incomplete and heals what is broken in their bones
and it stops uterine bleeding; it also acts as a deterrent against menstrual disorders and as a diuretic; it—
And there, with his teeth chattering, he was shivering. And the green twigs were used instead of reeds.
When rubbed against the skin, these produce a stinging sensation. Furthermore, an astringent oil is made from its fruit, suitable for conditions requiring astringency.
Regarding schinelaio; Schinelaion, likewise prepared from the dried fruit of the schinus tree mixed with laurel oil it cures scabies in livestock and dogs, and is applied to sores, boils, and leprosy—
It is mixed in this way; it also causes sweating. And the terebinth oil is prepared in the same way—
It is done; it cools and squeezes.
Pistacia lentiscus var. chia is considered a distinct variety that thrives only (!!!) in the southern part of the island of Chios and produces the famous Chios mastic, a product of great economic value since ancient times. In fact, it is exactly the same species, which—either due to long-term, specialized cultivation, through selective breeding and the development of subvarieties by Chios’s experienced mastic producers, or due to the island’s unique soil and climate conditions, produces the valuable resin in quantities sufficient to make its exploitation economically viable.
In 1872, the pioneering Greek botanist T. Orfanidis wrote in a letter to ministers of the government of the time: «When, in 1856, I said and wrote that it was possible for the wild mastic trees in Greece to produce Chios mastic, few believed me at the time, because outdated prejudices have always prevented people from discovering the truth and distinguishing right from wrong. A superstition that was invented out of necessity, many years ago by the highly intelligent Chians devoted to trade, so that they and their children would not be forced, as eternal slaves of the Valide, to collect mastic instead of the wealth that their entrepreneurial spirit brings them, it has taken such deep root that even now many believe that only the soil of the mastic-producing villages of Chios, because it contains elements unique to itself, produces the fragrant mastic. But science views things differently, as demonstrated by Dioscorides, Tournefort, and myself, He claims that mastic is also produced elsewhere from common mastic trees, which are no different from the mastic trees cultivated on Chios»… (The full letter) here:
https://www.hbs.gr/sites/default/files/newsletter/ebe-newsletter-04-2018b.pdf
On Kythira, the schinos plant dominates the landscape across the entire island. It might be worthwhile for young farmers to explore the possibility of utilizing it.
The genus name *Pistacia* derives from the Ancient Greek word *pistakion* = pistachio, which likely originates from the Persian word «pistak.»The specific epithet *lentiscus* likely derives from the Latin adjective *lentus*, meaning “flexible.”.
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Learn more about the flora of Kythera on Stavroula Facea's blog Flora Cytherea.
