Chinese pistachio
Pistacia chinensis
Family: Anacardiaceae
What it is like
A large tree which loses its leaves. It grows 8-25 m high and spreads 4.5 m wide. The trunk can be 1 m across. It can have small buttresses. The leaves have leaflets along the stalk. There are 10-12 leathery leaflets which are dark green. They turn yellow or orange in the autumn. The flowers are small and near the ends of shoots. They are reddish. The fruit are reddish or bluish berries.
Where it is found
A Mediterranean climate plant. It grows in mountain forests and on rocky soils between 100-3,600 m above sea level. It is drought resistant and tolerant of cold. It can grow in poor acid or alkaline soils. It suits hardiness zones 7-10. In Sichuan and Yunnan.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Australia, Britain, Central Asia, China (country/location of origin), Europe, Fiji, Indonesia, Pacific, Pakistan, Philippines, SE Asia, Singapore, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tibet
How it is used for food
The young shoots and leaves are cooked as a vegetable. They are also used for tea. The nuts are roasted and eaten. They are also used in confectionary.
It is a cultivated food plant.
Edible parts
Seeds, leaves, nuts
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seeds.
In China plants flower in March to May and fruit August to November.
Its other names
Local names
Chinese pistache, Huanglianmu, Huang-lien-mu, Pohon pistasia cina, Shrawan, Yellow link tree