Introduction
Pistacia lentiscus
This shrub or small tree from the Pistacia genus can reach 6 or 7 metres in height in the oldest examples.
The larger examples produce a resin called mastic when they are bled. Mastic is used in dentistry to prepare dental cements, and it used to be widely used as chewing gum to strengthen the gums and perfume the breath.
It is interesting to note that, as mastic tends to remain green for a long time after being cut, the fishermen of Roses use it, tied into bundles with rope which are positioned on the sea floor, to encourage squid to lay their eggs so they can catch them.
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