terebinthus

The terebinth, scientifically named Pistacia terebinthus, is a small to medium-sized tree in the cashew family (Anacardiaceae). It is native to the Mediterranean region, occurring from southern Europe and North Africa through western Asia, and is commonly found on dry, rocky hillsides, maquis, and woodland edges. The tree is also known by names such as the turpentine tree and has been used historically for resin production.

Taxonomy and naming may vary among authorities. Some classifications treat Pistacia palaestina as a separate species or as a subspecies of P. terebinthus. The term terebinth is often encountered in historical and heraldic contexts, reflecting the tree’s long-known presence in the Mediterranean flora.

Description and ecology: The terebinth is typically 5 to 12 meters tall, with a gnarled, often multilayered crown and gray-brown bark. Leaves are pinnate, usually with five to nine leaflets, which are dark green and leathery. The tree bears small flowers and produces drupes that are initially red and mature to dark purple or black; the fruits are edible but generally tart and astringent when raw. It tolerates drought and poor soils and commonly grows in sunny, well-drained sites from sea level to modest elevations.

Uses: Historically, resins exuded by terebinth trees were used in varnishes and traditional remedies. The wood provides fuel and sometimes timber, and the tree is occasionally used as rootstock for cultivated pistachios (Pistacia vera). The fruits are sometimes eaten by wildlife and, on occasion, by humans in local traditions.

See also: Pistacia genus; Pistacia vera; mediterranean flora.