lentiscus

Lentisk, Pistacia lentiscus, is an evergreen shrub or small tree in the cashew family Anacardiaceae. It is native to the Mediterranean region and is commonly known as the lentisk or mastic tree. The plant typically grows as a dense, rounded shrub up to 2–4 meters tall, though individuals may be larger in favorable conditions. Leaves are pinnate with several leaflets, glossy and dark green. Flowers are inconspicuous and borne in small inflorescences; fruit is a small red to black drupe.

Lentisk is found across southern Europe, northern Africa, and western Asia, particularly in dry, sunny environments such as maquis and garrigue scrub, cliffs, and rocky hillsides. It tolerates drought and poor soils and prefers full sun and well-drained conditions.

A notable feature is its resin production. When the trunk or branches are wounded, a resin exudes and hardens into tear-shaped pieces known as mastic. This resin has been collected for centuries, most famously on the island of Chios, Greece, where mastic gum has been produced for millennia. Mastic is used as a chewing gum, flavoring in foods and liqueurs, and as an ingredient in varnishes and cosmetics.

In cultivation, lentisk is valued as an ornamental plant for drought tolerance and evergreen foliage. It is used in hedges and coastal landscapes and can be propagated from seed or cuttings. The species also plays a role in its native ecosystems by stabilizing soils and providing habitat in scrub communities.