Pistacia atlantica

Botanical Description

Pistacia atlantica is a deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub or a tree forming a dense, wide, rounded crown; it can grow from 3 - 15 metres tall[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. , 1636 Title Taxonomic Revision of the Genus Pistacia L. (Anacardiaceae) Publication American Journal of Plant Sciences, 2012 , 3 , 12-32 Author AL-Saghir M.G. & Porter D.M. Website http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ajps.2012.31002 Publisher Year 2012 ISBN Description ]. The plant is commonly harvested from the wild, having a wide range of uses as a food, medicine, and source of various materials[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ]. It is also grown as an ornamental and shade tree[ 317 Title Mansfeld's Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Plants Publication Author Website http://mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de/pls/htmldb_pgrc/f?p=185:3:4292127278597336 Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Terse details of a huge range of useful plants. ]. Pistacia atlantica has a large range, but it is scattered and often occasional through much of that. The population size and habitats are in continuous degradation and decline due to numerous threats especially: ruthless collection for domestic uses as forage or firewood and for trade. Collection practices and overgrazing prevent natural regeneration and the development of young shoots; deforestation, desertification, erosion of habitats and insects attacks add to the pressures on this species. The plant is also heavily collected by locals and collectors for use as a remedy and to trade both nationally and for international export. The bad collection practices of the wild species are destroying the entire species and preventing it from growing again. The plant is threatened more generally by the indirect impact of human activities such as leisure activities, tourism, infrastructure development. The plant is classified as 'Near Threatened' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2018)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].