mastic
ExplorePlants
mastic
Pistacia lentiscus
Mastic is a small shrub that grows in warm places. It has shiny green leaves and produces a special resin that people use for chewing gum and flavoring food!
Habitat: Coastal areas
Appearance
The mastic is an evergreen shrub or small tree with glossy, leathery, dark green leaves. It produces tiny, reddish-green flowers followed by small, round berries that ripen from bright red to black, often appearing in clusters.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderSapindalesFamilyAnacardiaceaeGenusPistacia
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Its name "mastic" comes from a Greek word meaning "to chew."
Mastic resin was chewed as ancient breath mint and gum over 2,400 years ago!
Only one Greek island, Chios, traditionally produces nearly all the world's mastic gum.
This special tree's resin is even used to make sweet liqueurs and delicious ice cream!
Special abilities
Ability
Drought Warrior
Mastic has tough, leathery leaves that help it conserve water, allowing it to thrive in dry, arid environments.
Ability
Healing Sap
The mastic can release a special resin (mastic gum) that helps heal its wounds and protects against pests.
Ability
Evergreen Shield
Its evergreen leaves allow the mastic to photosynthesize year-round, giving it a growth advantage.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 100-500 cm
- Spread
- 100-500 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.1-0.3 cm
- Bloom Season
- Spring
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Wind
Ecological connections
eaten by
Blackbird
Turdus merula
Its berries provide a vital food source.
eaten by
Blackcap
Sylvia atricapilla
Feasts on the ripened red berries.
eaten by
Wild Goat
Capra aegagrus
Browses on its resilient leaves and shoots.
shelters
Common Wall Lizard
Podarcis muralis
Provides hiding spots and basking areas.
Traits
Aromatic
Aromatic plants produce and emit fragrant volatile organic compounds, often for defense or to attract pollinators.
Shrub
A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.
Evergreen
Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once.
Medicinal
Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Spice
This human use trait indicates species from which spices are derived, used for flavoring, preserving food, or as aromatic agents.
Longevous
This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
Coastal
Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Don't eat anything you find in nature without asking an adult first.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is mastic?
100-500 cm
How wide does mastic spread?
100-500 cm
How big are the flowers on mastic?
0.1-0.3 cm
When does mastic bloom?
Spring
Is mastic edible?
Yes
Is mastic toxic?
None
What is mastic's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is mastic pollinated?
Wind
Snap Map
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