Khinjuk
Pistacia khinjuk

Family: Anacardiaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 6-10 m tall. Young shoots are hairy. The leaves are compound with 3-7 leaflets along the stalk and one at the end. These are opposite and rough textured. The leaflets are 5-8 cm long by 3-6 cm wide. They are oval with an oblique base. The end leaflet is larger than the side leaflets. The flower panicles are near the axils of the leaves and 14-16 cm long. The fruit is 4-6 mm long.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. In Pakistan it grows in rocky areas between 1,500 and 2,400 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Asia, Central Asia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Mediterranean, Middle East, Pakistan, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkey, Türkiye

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw.

They are eaten especially by children.

Edible parts

Fruit, nut, seed, leaves

How it is grown

In NW Pakistan flowers are in March to April and fruit are harvested in October.

Its other names

Local names

Biemik, Biemuuk, Bnawshila, Khakow, Qezwan, Saho shrawan, Sherawani

Synonyms

Rhus integerrima Wall.; Rhus kakrasingee Royle;