Betoum, Mt. Atlas mastic tree, Mount Atlas Mastic
Pistacia atlantica
Family: Pistaciaceae
What it is like
Bloom Color: Green. Main Bloom Time: Mid spring. Form: Oval, Rounded, Spreading or horizontal, Vase.
Pistacia atlantica is a deciduous Tree growing to 20 m (65ft 7in) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). . The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.
Height (m): 20
Where it is found
Dry hillsides, cemeteries, field edges and roadsides from sea level to 1500 metres in Turkey.
S. Europe to N. Africa.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
Fruit - raw. A turpentine flavour. The fruit is about 8mm long and 6mm wide and contains a single seed. An excellent edible oil is obtained from the seed.
Oil: Oil
Gum: can be chewed as a chewing gum or can often be used as a sweetener or thickening agent in foods.
Medicine
Rating: 1
Antiseptic.
Antiseptic: Preventing sepsis, decay or putrefaction, it destroys or arrests the growth of micro-organisms.
Other
Rating:
Used as a rootstock for P. vera, the pistachio nut. A resin is obtained from the tree. No more details. A gum is obtained from the tree. It is used medicinally. It is possible that the gum and the resin are the same thing. 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. The leaves contain 22.2% tannin. The wood is useful.
Dye: Plants that provide dyes.
Gum: Gums have a wide range of uses, especially as stabilizers, emulsifiers, thickening agents, adhesives etc.
Ink: Plants that can be used as an ink.
Oil: Vegetable oils have many uses, as lubricants, lighting, soap and paint making, waterproofing etc. This does not include the edible oils unless they are also mentioned as having other uses.
Resin: Used in perfumery, medicines, paints, soap making etc. This also includes turpentine, which is extracted from many resins and used as a preservative, water proofer etc,
Rootstock: Plants used as the rootstock for grafting scions onto.
Tannin: An astringent substance obtaied from plants, it is used medicinally, as a dye and mordant, stabilizer in pesticide etc.
Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.
How it is grown
Requires a sunny position in a deep well-drained light soil. Succeeds in dry soils. This species is not very cold-hardy in Britain, 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. Any pruning that needs to be done is best carried out in the spring. Plants are prone to fungal root rots. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. Special Features:Not North American native, Naturalizing, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.
Propagating it: Pre-soak the seed for 16 hours in alkalized water, or for 3 - 4 days in warm water, and sow late winter in a cold frame or greenhouse. Two months cold stratification may speed up germination, so it might be better to sow the seed in early winter. 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. Cuttings of half-ripe wood from juvenile trees, July in a frame. Layering.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Secondary; Sunny Edge;
Habit: Tree
Hardiness: 6-9
Growth: Slow
Soil: Light (sandy), medium
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Dry, moist