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Pistacia chinensis - Bunge.

Common Name Chinese Pistache, Chinese Pistachio
Family Pistaciaceae
USDA hardiness 6-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Riversides and in cultivated areas up to 2400 metres in the Himalayas[51]. Forest on stone hills at elevations of 140 - 3550 metres in southern and western China[266].
Range E. Asia - China.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Pistacia chinensis Chinese Pistache, Chinese Pistachio


Pistacia chinensis Chinese Pistache, Chinese Pistachio
Tracey Slotta @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Green. Main Bloom Time: Mid spring. Form: Oval, Rounded, Spreading or horizontal, Vase.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of lolypop
Pistacia chinensis is a deciduous Tree growing to 9 m (29ft 6in) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in flower from April to June, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). . The plant is not self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Secondary; Sunny Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Seed  Shoots
Edible Uses:

Young shoots and leaves - cooked. Used as a vegetable[11, 46, 182, 183]. Seed - cooked. It is roasted and then eaten, or is used in confectionery[105, 183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Miscellany

Resin from the related P. lentiscus is analgesic, antitussive, expectorant and sedative. It would be worthwhile examining this species[218].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Dye  Miscellany  Rootstock  Wood

The plant can be used as a rootstock for the pistachio nut, P. vera[200]. A yellow dye can be obtained from the wood[266]. Wood - hard, durable. Used in furniture making and carpentry[51, 266].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Pest tolerant, Pollard, Specimen, Street tree. Succeeds in an ordinary loamy soil and in dry soils[1, 11]. Requires a sunny position[1]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[200]. A very ornamental tree[1, 11]. Any pruning that needs to be done is best carried out in the spring[238]. This species strongly resents being transplanted[113], it should be planted out into its permanent position as young as possible and given some protection from winter cold for its first few winters outdoors. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. Special Features:Not North American native, Naturalizing, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 16 hours in alkalized water[78], or for 3 - 4 days in warm water[1], and sow late winter in a cold frame or greenhouse[78, 113]. Two months cold stratification may speed up germination, so it might be better to sow the seed in early winter[113]. The germination is variable and can be slow. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow on the plants for at least their first winter in a greenhouse. Plant out into their permanent positions in early summer and consider giving some protection from winter cold for their first year or two outdoors[K]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood from juvenile trees, July in a frame[113]. Layering.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Pistacia atlanticaBetoum, Mt. Atlas mastic tree, Mount Atlas MasticTree20.0 6-9 SLMNDM212
Pistacia atlantica cabulica Tree0.0 -  LMNDM102
Pistacia chinensis integerrima Tree9.0 -  LMHSNDM213
Pistacia lentiscusMastic Tree - Pistachier LentisqueShrub5.0 8-9 SLMHNDM222
Pistacia terebinthusTerebinth, Cyprus turpentineTree9.0 8-11 SLMNDM222
Pistacia veraPistachio, Pistachio NutTree10.0 7-10 MLMNDM322

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Botanical References

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