Download The Lentisk Tree

The Lentisk Tree - Deru
The lentisk or mastic tree is another of our
Maltese indigenous trees. This small evergreen
tree or large shrub, usually reaches a height of
3 to 6 metres. It can withstand our hot dry
summers and needs plenty of sunshine to
grow. It is a common tree on maquis
landscape.
This tree is densely covered with dark green, shiny, pointed leaves and
clusters of small flowers appear from March to June. Male and female
flowers grow on two different plants and are wind-pollinated. Male
flowers appear in tight tufts with red anthers,
female flowers are yellowish. On the female
plant the flowers grow into fruits, which turn
from red to black as they ripen. Only the fruit
which have been pollinated turn to black and
produce viable seeds. While those which
produce non viable seeds remain red or white in
colour.
Female flowers
Male flowers
Fruit Development
Another name for this tree is ‘mastic’ tree
because of a chewable resin which can be
obtained from incisions made on the bark of
the tree. This resin can be dried and used as
a powder, or distilled for oil and essence. It
was used in the Orient for disinfecting
wounds and chewed to care for gums and
teeth. Today it is still used as a tanning agent as it is rich in tannin,
and in tooth pastes.