Pistachio wood, East Indies mastiche
Pistacia chinensis subsp. integerrima

Family: Anacardiaceae

What it is like

A large deciduous tree. The bark is dark grey and very rough. The leaves are feathery and compound. There are 3-6 pairs of smooth leaflets with or without a leaflet at the end. The base of the leaflets is unequal. The tip is long and pointy. Male and female flowers are on separate trees. Male flowers are in short compact clusters and are red. Female flowers are larger and more loose. The fruit are small and in loose clusters. They are 6 mm across. They are pink at first and become wrinkled and grey-green when ripe.

Where it is found

A subtropical plant. It grows in hot, dry sub Himalayan slopes. It grows from 450-1,980 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Asia, Himalayas, India, Iran, Middle East, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, SE Asia

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten raw. They are oily.

Edible parts

Leaves, seeds, nuts, fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Kakarsingee, Kakkar, Kakra, Kakri, Kakrasingi, Kakrian, Kakri-singi, Kakroi, Kangar, Kankad singhe, Kankar silo, Karkat-shringi, Kattara-thinche, Pistacio, Shrewaniay

Synonyms

Pistacia integerrima J. L. Stewart ex Brandis; Rhus integerrima Wall.;