Texas pistacio, Mexican pistacio
Pistacia mexicana

Family: Anacardiaceae

What it is like

A small evergreen shrub or tree. It grows 9 m high and spreads 4.5 m wide. The branches are low down. The leaves are 5-10 cm long. The leaves have leaflets along the stalk. There are 10-22 leaflets. The leaflet at the end is smaller. The leaflets are about 12 mm long and curved and with unequal sides. Trees are separately male and female. The flowers are small and dark red. They are in branched clusters 6 cm long. The female trees produce fleshy, dark brown fruit. These are 5 mm long and nutlike. They contain one seed.

Where it is found

It is a tropical and subtropical plant. It grows on dry limestone cliffs and along ravines. It grows between 180-300 m altitude in SE region of USA. It is drought resistant. It suits hardiness zones 8-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Central America, Guatemala, Mexico, North America, USA

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Nuts, seeds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

American pistachio, Lentisco

Synonyms

Pistacia texana Swingle;