Pistacia vera
The pistachio tree
Pistacia vera, commonly known as the pistachio tree, is a highly valued medicinal and nutritional plant. Beyond its culinary fame, it offers significant health benefits, including potent antioxidant properties. Used in traditional medicine to support cardiovascular health and reduce inflammation, this resilient species remains a vital botanical resource worldwide.
- Scientific name: Pistacia vera
- Family: Anacardiaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, Pistacia vera, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Sapindales, it is classified under the family Anacardiaceae. Finally, it is categorized within the genus Pistacia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Sapindales | WCVP |
| Family | Anacardiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Pistacia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Pistacia vera, is recognized by various common names depending on the language and region. In Arabic, it is referred to as Pistache (lb), while in Dhivehi, it is called ޕިސްތާ ބަދަން (dv). In Chinese, the plant is known as 阿月浑子 (zh), and in Polish, it is called pistacja właściwa (pl). Finally, in Korean, it is commonly referred to as 피스타치오 (ko).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| lb | Pistache | Wikidata |
| dv | ޕިސްތާ ބަދަން | Wikidata |
| zh | 阿月浑子 | Wikidata |
| pl | pistacja właściwa | Wikidata |
| ko | 피스타치오 | Wikidata |
| fr | pistachier | Wikidata |
| he | פיסטוק | Wikidata |
| es | pistacho | Wikidata |
| ta | பசுங்கொட்டை | Wikidata |
| ceb | Pistatso | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several regions of Europe. In Southwestern Europe, it can be found growing in both France and Spain. Moving toward the eastern part of the continent, its presence extends into Southeastern Europe. Specifically, it is located within the borders of Bulgaria and Greece. Furthermore, the species is also widely distributed across Italy in Southeastern Europe.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Southwestern Europe | France | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Spain | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Bulgaria | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Greece | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Italy | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Libya | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Morocco | WCVP |
| Central Asia | Kazakhstan | WCVP |
| Central Asia | Kirgizstan | WCVP |
| Central Asia | Turkmenistan | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as the pistachio, offers various components that are utilized for their unique properties. The most well-known part is the seed, which is consumed globally for its nutritional value and medicinal potential in supporting heart health. Surrounding the kernel is the hull, the fleshy outer layer that protects the developing seed. Additionally, the tree produces an oleo gum resin, a substance extracted from the bark that has historically been used in traditional medicine for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory qualities.- Total parts
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| seed | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oleo gum resin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hull | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Pistacia vera has 26 reported phytochemicals identified across 31 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include aflatoxin B1, Resveratrol, fatty acids, imidacloprid, 9,12-octadecadienoic acid.
- Total chemicals
- 26
- Scientific sources
- 31
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| aflatoxin B1 | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Resveratrol | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fatty acids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| imidacloprid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 9,12-octadecadienoic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 9-octadecenoic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| AFB1 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Aflatoxins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| PKE | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| PPE | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Pistacia vera has 8 reported activities identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antiangiogenic, Antidiabetic, Antitumor, Cardioprotective.
- Total activities
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 10
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antiangiogenic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antitumor | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cardioprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hepatoprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Sedative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Tonic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Pistacia vera has 14 reported medicinal uses identified across 14 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Diabetes mellitus, Fusarium infections, breast cancer, cancer, central nervous system disorders.
- Total uses
- 14
- Scientific sources
- 14
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Diabetes mellitus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Fusarium infections | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| breast cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| central nervous system disorders | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cervix cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| colon cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hemorrhoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hepatocellular carcinoma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| melanoma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |