Pistacia L, is primarily an Old World genus, and most of the species are not hardy in zone 7, the exception to the former is American pistachio, P.mexicana Kunth, while an exception to the later is Chinese pistache, P.chinensis Bunge, which is sometimes planted and an ornamental. The most familiar species is the pistachio nut, Pistaciavera L., due to the eatable drupe since it is not a true nut. These are even referred to in the Bible as nuts in Genesis 43:11. A couple other species are mentioned in the Bible and Apocrypha respectively, teil tree in Isaiah 6.13 or turpentine tree in the Apocrypha, P.terebinthus L., also known as Cyprus turpentine, and mastick or mastic tree, P.lentiscus L, which is only mentioned in the Apocrypha. The teil tree was also confused with oak in Judges 6:11. The mastic tree is so called due to a resin that was masticated to freshen breath; I have had chewing gum of that flavor, which was familiar, but I couldn't quite place it until the association with turpentine tree connected mentally. I don't really like the flavor and usually spit out the gum within minutes. The nuts of most if not all species are apparently high in oil especially considering that they can be pressed for its extraction, while only those of pistachio nut are eaten because they are the largest and least turpentine flavored.
