Chinese Pistache, Chinese Pistachio
Pistacia chinensis
Family: Pistaciaceae
What it is like
Bloom Color: Green. Main Bloom Time: Mid spring. Form: Oval, Rounded, Spreading or horizontal, Vase.
Pistacia chinensis is a deciduous Tree growing to 9 m (29ft 6in) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in flower from April to June, and the seeds ripen in October. 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), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.
Height (m): 9
Where it is found
Riversides and in cultivated areas up to 2400 metres in the Himalayas. Forest on stone hills at elevations of 140 - 3550 metres in southern and western China.
E. Asia - China.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
Young shoots and leaves - cooked. Used as a vegetable. Seed - cooked. It is roasted and then eaten, or is used in confectionery.
Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.
Medicine
Rating: 1
Resin from the related P. lentiscus is analgesic, antitussive, expectorant and sedative. It would be worthwhile examining this species.
Miscellany: Various medicinal actions that need more clarification.
Other
Rating:
The plant can be used as a rootstock for the pistachio nut, P. vera. A yellow dye can be obtained from the wood. Wood - hard, durable. Used in furniture making and carpentry.
Dye: Plants that provide dyes.
Miscellany: A rag-bag of items that are difficult to categorise.
Rootstock: Plants used as the rootstock for grafting scions onto.
Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.
How it is grown
Landscape Uses:Pest tolerant, Pollard, Specimen, Street tree. Succeeds in an ordinary loamy soil and in dry soils. Requires a sunny position. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c. A very ornamental tree. Any pruning that needs to be done is best carried out in the spring. This species strongly resents being transplanted, it should be planted out into its permanent position as young as possible and given some protection from winter cold for its first few winters outdoors. 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, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Dry, moist