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Native Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Pistacia mexicana (Mexican pistachio)
Loughmiller, Campbell and Lynn

Pistacia mexicana Kunth

Mexican pistachio, Texas pistachio, American pistachio

Anacardiaceae (Sumac Family)

Synonyms: Pistacia texana

USDA Symbol: pime4

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Copall pistachio is a large, airy, rounded shrub or multi-trunked small tree, 12-20 ft. tall. Its glossy foliage, reddish in spring, dark-green later, is pinnately compound. Clusters of small, white flowers are followed by clusters of red, nut-like drupes on females. These become almost black on drying.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Size Notes: 12-20
Fruit:
Size Class: 12-36 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: TX
Native Distribution: S. TX & n.e. Mex.
Native Habitat: Limestone cliffs; ravine edges
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Description: Well-drained, alkaline soil.
Conditions Comments: This uncommon, handsome evergreen is drought-resistant and grows well in full sunlight and merits planting as an ornamental in warm, dry climates. In spring the new dark red foliage is showy. Clusters of small, white flowers are followed by clusters of red, nut-like drupes on females. These become almost black on drying.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Fruits attract birds.
Use Food: Goats browse the leaves; however, the small seeds are often empty and unimportant as food for wildlife or people. Pistachio nuts are from the related Common Pistache (Pistacia vera), native of western Asia.
Attracts: Birds
Deer Resistant: High

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Brackenridge Field Laboratory - Austin, TX
Patsy Glenn Refuge - Wimberley, TX
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Austin, TX

Bibliography

Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Pistacia mexicana in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Pistacia mexicana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Pistacia mexicana

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-09-06
Research By: TWC Staff

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