Pistacia philippinensis Merr. & Rolfe

A deciduous, dioecious, small to medium-sized tree up to 26 m tall; bole usually straight, short, up to 100 cm in diameter, sometimes with small buttresses; bark surface scaly, pale green to pale brown. Leaves arranged spirally, imparipinnate or the terminal leaflet sometimes absent, with (3-)5-6(-10) pairs of opposite, sessile or subsessile, entire leaflets, exstipulate. Inflorescence axillary or terminal, racemose in male trees, paniculate in female trees. Flowers unisexual, small; perianth segments 2-5, free; disk absent. Male flower with 3-5 stamens, filaments very short; pistillode minute. Female flower with a superior, 1-locular ovary with a single ovule, style short, stigmas 3. Fruit a drupe with a bony stone. Seed with testa free from the endocarp.

In the Philippines P. chinensis flowers from March-April, occasionally in July; ripe fruits have been observed in May-July, occasionally in September. The small fruits are eaten by birds which thus disperse the seeds.

In the Philippines P. chinensis is found scattered on slopes with an open vegetation and in rocky areas

It is found in China, Taiwan and the Philippines (Luzon). It is locally naturalized in the United States (Texas).

P. chinensis can be propagated by seed, but for ornamental purposes it is often propagated vegetatively. Stratification of seed at 0-5 deg. C greatly improves germination.

Pests: In the United States it shows a high resistance to various pests.

Ornamental: It is valued for its leaf colour in autumn. Shade or shelter: P. chinensis is well known as a landscape and shade tree, especially in the United States.

Timber: The wood of P. chinensis is favoured locally for carving, walking sticks, jewellery boxes, tobacco pipes, paper weights and other novelties. It is an excellent wood for sport-rifle stocks and pistol grips. It has occasionally been used for temporary construction.