Terebinth
Pistacia terebinthus
Family · Anacardiaceae · Harmless
The deciduous cousin of the mastic tree, which drops its leaves and turns red in autumn, a rare thing in Mediterranean scrub. It is known by the horn-shaped galls insects induce on its leaves, which gave it its Spanish name.
Scrubland · Oak woods · Uplands · Montado
Also known asturpentine tree
How to tell it
A compound leaf with a terminal leaflet, unlike the mastic tree, which has none: that is the decisive difference. A strong turpentine smell when rubbed. Curved hollow galls, like red horns, very common on the leaves.
What it is confused with
Mastic tree
Pistacia lentiscus
Count the leaflets: mastic tree has an even number with none at the tip; terebinth has a terminal leaflet, so an odd number. And mastic tree keeps its leaves all year, terebinth drops them.
Open sheet →What it is for
The resin was the original turpentine, used in varnishes and ancient medicine. The tannin-rich galls served to tan hides and dye black.