Abstract
Pistacia is an economically important genus because it contains the pistachio crop, P. vera, which has edible seeds of considerable commercial importance whose value has increased over the last two decades reaching an annual value of about $2 billion (harvested crop). The taxonomic relationships among its species are controversial and not well under- stood due to the fact that they have no genetic barriers. The taxonomy of this genus is revised in detail through our re- search. It includes the following taxa: Pistacia atlantica Desf., P. chinensis Bunge subsp. chinensis, P. chinensis subsp. falcata (Bess. ex Martinelli) Rech. f., P. chinensis subsp. integerrima (J.L. Stew. ex Brandis) Rech. f., P. eurycarpa Yalt., P. khinjuk Stocks, P. lentiscus L. subsp. lentiscus, P. lentiscus subsp. emarginata (Engl.) AL-Saghir, P. mexicana Humb., Bonpl., & Kunth, P. X saportae Burnat, P. terebinthus L., P. vera L., and P. weinmannifolia Poiss. ex Franch. The genus is divided into two sections: section Pistacia and section Lentiscella. A key to the 14 taxa that have been recognized by this study is included. The new combination P. lentiscus subsp. emarginata (Engl.) AL-Saghir is made, and the names P. chinensis subsp. integerrima (J. L. Stew. ex Brandis) Rech. F., P. terebinthus L., and P. vera L. are lectotypified.
Highlights
The taxonomic relationships among its species are controversial and not well understood due to the fact that they have no genetic barriers. The taxonomy of this genus is revised in detail through our research
The genus is divided into two sections: section Pistacia and section Lentiscella
Pistacia L. belongs to the family Anacardiaceae, order Sapindales [1]
Summary
Pistacia L. belongs to the family Anacardiaceae (cashew family), order Sapindales [1]. The value of P. vera fruits has increased over the last two decades reaching an annual value of about $2 billion (harvested crop) [2] It has edible seeds and considerable commercial importance. A comprehensive taxonomic revision, utilizing different types of data, is urgently needed for Pistacia in order to clarify the phylogenetic relationships between the species and to characterize the collective germplasm. This will provide a framework and guidelines for plant improvement and help to preserve the genetic resources of this important crop, especially since these genetic resources are under threat by extensive forest cutting in their native countries (especially in the Mediterranean countries, and Central and Western Asia)
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