Atlantic Pistacia it is an arboreal species belonging to the Anacardiaceae family. It is commonly known as sheep's tongue, wild pistachio or seedling. It is a plant that grows wild in the western and eastern area of Iran. It lives in natural forests and has multiple medicinal properties.
Wild pistachio is a highly branched tree that can be up to 12 m tall. Its bark is gray or blackish with many fissures. The leaves are compound odd-pinnate, are about 15 cm long, and are made up of 5 - 9 leaflets that are in turn about 5 cm long..
Male flowers are found on yellowish-green catkins, and female flowers grow in long pinkish-red clusters. The fruits are arranged in clusters of 15 cm long, they are initially red drupes, and brown-black when they mature..
The fruit of the wild pistachio is an important source of food, however, its commercialization is not as valuable as the fruits of the species Pistacia Vera. It can take up to 200 years for seedlings to reach a diameter of 1 m or up to 2 m.
Oleoresin is one of its essential oils and is present in the exudate that emerges from the stem after having a wound or damage. This resin in ancient times was chewed to produce good breath and to strengthen the gums.
This tree is used to treat wounds, gastrointestinal disorders, dizziness, antiseptic, lack of appetite, astringent, laxative, emmenagogue, diuretic, and carminative drug. It has recently been determined that it exerts antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antidiabetic, antiulcer, antitumor and anticholinesterase activity.
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The almácigo is a highly branched deciduous tree, has a wide crown and can be about 12 m high. The bark of this tree is gray or blackish and older individuals have many scales.
The leaves are odd-pinnate, up to 15 cm long and have 5 to 9 leaflets of about 5 cm in length, whose morphology is oblong-lanceolate, asymmetric at their base and deformed by the purple galls present..
The seedling is a dioecious species. In both individuals (male and female), flowers without petals and not very showy develop.
For their part, the male flowers are found in yellowish-green catkins, and the female flowers grow in long red-pink clusters..
The fruit of this tree is a fleshy drupe, initially red in color, and brownish-black when ripe. The fruits are arranged in clusters up to 15 cm long, and have a pointed appearance..
-Kingdom: Plantae
-Phylum: Tracheophyta
-Class: Magnoliopsida
-Order: Sapindales
-Family: Anacardiaceae
-Gender: Pistacia
-Species: Atlantic Pistacia Desf.
Some synonyms for this species are: Lentiscus atlantica, Lentiscus mutica, Pistacia atlantica subsp. cabulica, Pistacia atlantica var. latifolia, Pistacia atlantica subsp. mutica, Pistacia cabulica, Pistacia chia, Pistacia mutica F. multiplayer.
Wild pistachio is found as part of the flora of thermophilic forests, between 150 to 900 meters above sea level. Wild pistachios can be found naturally in abundance and establish formations known as almacigares. In addition, it develops on slopes and ravines..
This species resists water stress and also grows in very arid environments. It is distributed in North Africa, the eastern Mediterranean or the Canary Islands, among others..
Its habitat has been greatly affected by agricultural and forestry exploitation, which has caused the reduction of the territory available for its growth..
The resin or gum extract of Atlantic Pistacia It is used to treat liver diseases, digestive disorders, neurological problems, respiratory problems, and parasitic infections. It also serves as an anti-inflammatory and immunomodulator.
Wild pistachio has been studied for its gastroprotective and antibacterial activities against Helicobacter pylori resistant to metronidazole. In clinical studies, beneficial effects against infection and colonization by this bacterium have been shown, where alpha-pinene is highlighted as responsible for this protective effect..
Pistachio is composed of unsaturated fatty acids, sterols, triacylglycerols, tocopherols, phenols, and pigments in its oil.
Some of the compounds found in wild pistachio seed oil are pheophytin, luteoxanthin, neoxanthin, violaxanthin, lutein, carotene, and chlorophyll a.
Other important compounds are caffeic acid, cinnamic acid, pinoresinol, vanillin, coumaric acid, and ferulic acid. These phenols are known for the direct relationship between the total content in plants and the antioxidant action.
The fruit of the seedbed is used in ground form by the natives of Iran to flavor food.
Due to its high content of unsaturated fatty acids, it is beneficial for diets, in addition to being used as an oil for salads or for the manufacture of margarine..
Another use of the seedbed is the use of its resin to make varnishes, lacquers, and give a good smell to homes.
Serves as a graft pattern for the tree Pistacia Vera (alfóncigo or pistachio), to increase the production of nuts of this species (pistachios).
The seedbed has been very exploited for the use of its wood, which is solid, aromatic and shows various colors. Also, wood is very useful as firewood for sugar mills..
The seedbed requires a location in direct sunlight, a light soil with good drainage and deep. It can grow in dry soils without any problem.
It is not a cold resistant species, therefore, it is recommended to grow it in arid or hot areas.
Pruning is done during the spring. Plants are cultivated dioeciously if seed is to be obtained. In addition, it is usually cultivated close to the species Pistacia Vera.
Care must be taken against the attack of fungi which cause root rot.
For its propagation, the seed must be hydrated for 16 hours in alkaline water, or 3 to 4 days in warm water and sown at the end of winter, under cold conditions or in a greenhouse..
Also, the seed can be cold stratified to increase germination. Seedlings should be kept for at least a month in greenhouse conditions, or during their first winter.
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