Terebinth

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Cyprus Turpentine
• Eastern Turpentine Tree
• Terebinth
• Turpentine tree
• Cyprus-turpentine
• turpentine-tree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Pistacia terebinthus subsp. palaestina
• Lentiscus terebinthus
• Terebinthus vulgaris
• Terebinthus communis
• Pistacia palaestina
• Pistacia terebinthus var. heterophylla
• Pistacia terebinthus var. angustifolia
• Pistacia terebinthus var. macrocarpa
• Pistacia terebinthus var. oxycarpa

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Sapindaales, falling into the family Anacardiaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by its membership in the genus Pistacia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several regions of Southwestern Europe. It can be found growing in the Balearic Islands, which are part of the Baleares archipelago. Additionally, its presence is noted in the territories of Corsica and Sardegna. The species also inhabits various parts of mainland France. Finally, its range extends further west into the country of Portugal.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Pistacia terebinthus is characterized by its adaptation to Mediterranean-type ecosystems, where it typically thrives in maquis, garrigue, and open woodland habitats. It occupies a diverse range of topographic positions, often favoring rocky, well-drained soils and limestone substrates within semi-arid landscapes. The species exhibits a specific vertical distribution within its habitat, maintaining an elevational range that centers around a mean of 976 m AMSL. This positioning allows the plant to navigate varying microclimates, ranging from coastal lowlands to mid-altitude mountainous regions, where it must withstand seasonal drought and high solar radiation. Its presence is often indicative of successional stages in Mediterranean shrublands, where it plays a vital role in soil stabilization and providing structure within the plant community.

Elevational range mean:

976 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Pistacia terebinthus is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over many years. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, a structural adaptation that supports its growth as a shrub or small tree. Furthermore, the plant exhibits a deciduous habit, shedding its foliage seasonally as part of its physiological cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Pistacia terebinthus is characterized by its woody structure and a growth form primarily classified as a shrub. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies and functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite or epiphyte. The plant is self-supporting, lacking any climbing habits, and reaches a significant stature with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 2 meters to a maximum of 8 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

8 m

Plant height min:

2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Pistacia terebinthus is characterized by its specialized metabolic processes and structural adaptations suited for Mediterranean climates. Primarily, the plant utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide by the enzyme RuBisCO during the Calvin cycle. This metabolic strategy, while requiring careful regulation of stomatal conductance to balance gas exchange with transpirational water loss, allows the species to optimize biomass production under temperate conditions. Furthermore, its physiological framework includes robust secondary metabolism, notably the biosynthesis of various terpenoids and phenolic compounds, which serve as chemical defenses and contribute to its adaptive resilience. The plant's water relations and nutrient uptake mechanisms are finely tuned to handle seasonal fluctuations in moisture availability, ensuring efficient carbon assimilation through its C3 mechanism even during periods of moderate environmental stress.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Pistacia terebinthus is characterized by the production of fleshy, indehiscent fruits classified as drupes. These fruits possess a mean length of 0.64 cm and a mean width of 0.58 cm, serving as the primary vessel for seed protection and dispersal. The seeds contained within these drupes exhibit a mean mass of approximately 0.044587 g, with individual seed weights ranging from a minimum of 0.0141 g to a maximum of 0.05917 g. Consistent seed volume measurements indicate a uniform volume of 51 mm³. Due to the fleshy nature of the fruit, the plant utilizes a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on animals to facilitate the spread of its seeds.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit length mean:

0.64 cm

Fruit type :

drupe

Fruit width mean:

0.58 cm

Seed mass max:

0.05917 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0445866666666667 g

Seed mass min:

0.0141 g

Seed volume max:

51 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Pistacia terebinthus has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit.

Fruit

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Pistacia terebinthus has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (E)-Ocimene, (z)-ocimene, ALPHA-PINENE, LIMONENE, MYRCENE.

(E)-Ocimene

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

(z)-ocimene

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

ALPHA-PINENE

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

LIMONENE

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

MYRCENE

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Monoterpenes

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Sesquiterpenes

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Activities

Pistacia terebinthus has 2 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antioxidant.

Antibacterial

1. Biochemical and biophysical research communications

Antioxidant

1. Biochemical and biophysical research communications

Conditions

Pistacia terebinthus has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. Biochemical and biophysical research communications

Preparations

Pistacia terebinthus has 4 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extract, extracts, fruits, water-soluble powder extracts.

Extract

1. Biochemical and biophysical research communications

Extracts

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Fruits

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Water-soluble powder extracts

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM