Vernacular names
Lentisk, mastic.
Family
Anacardiaceae.
Height
Between 1-2 meters, reaching up to 5 metres max. Shrub that can grow to even became a small tree.
Habitat
Light forests, meadows, kermes oak groves, holm oak forests; hills, gorges, canyons and rocky slopes throughout the Mediterranean area.
Altitude
It normally develops at heights ranging from sea level to 1000 or 1200 meters.
Distribution
Frequent in the eastern and southern half of the peninsula, in places with a relatively mild winter.
Identification
Thick trunk, long thick branches; always green. Independent male and female plants.
Compound leaves, paripinnate, with 3-6 coriaceous alternate leaflets, with an intense green.
Small flowers, the male ones with 5 stamens, the female ones with a trifid style.
The fruit is a drupe type, first red and black when ripe, about 4 mm. diameter.
Blooming
Between March and May.
Applications
Aromatic, edible or food uses, medicinal.
In classical times it was used as chewing gum.
With its latex, an aromatic rubber called mastic is made, used in dental medicine and to make varnishes.
It is also used to flavor liqueurs.
Used in the reforestation of gardens due to its strength and attractive appearance.
Threat category
It is included in the Red List of the Vascular Flora of Andalusia.
LC Category, Least Concern.
