Re: Greek plant 'SKINOS'

At 10:23 AM 8/1/2002, Jeannie wrote:
Hello,
A friend from Greece told me of a leaf used in Greece for healing of cancer. She said in Greece it is called SKINOS. I cannot find it in my search of plants. Do you know what latin name or common name it would have here in the United States? Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you,
Jeannie Bates
Jeannie -

(sorry to be so long in reply - I was out of the country)

Here is what I find in Making a Garden on a Greek Hillside by Jaqueline Tyrwhitt (available through the Mediterranean Garden Society):

Pistacia lentiscus
Anacardiaceae
Mastic Tree, Lentisc; Greek name: Skinos.
Evergreen shrub or small tree found in the phrygana and maquis; 1-8m

Commonly known as skinos, this is a string growing and aromatic evergreen shrub related to the pistachio tree. A variety on the island of Chios is tapped for its gum (mastic). This used to be the medium in which volatile scents could be preserved but now it is mainly used in the manufacture of masticha, a strong colourless liqueur. If trimmed to a single trunk, the skinos will grow into a tree, but usually it makes a dense, spreading bush. I have several bushes that have been protected from sheep and goats for over fifteen years and are now two to three meters in diameter. The skinos and Quercus coccifera (the kermes oak) are the largest and most conspicuous element of the Greek maquis. The skinos has male and female flowers on different bushes [dioecious] and the male ones, which are now in full bloom [March], consist of tight little bunches of deep red anthers. The female flowers are insignificant, but their moment of glory comes in the autumn when they have masses of small red berries that finally turn black."


I am not aware of specific medicinal uses of this plant - if you do uncover more on this topic, I would be most interested.
Regards,
Seán O.

h o r t u l u s a p t u s - 'a garden suited to its purpose'
Seán A. O'Hara fax (707) 667-1173 sean@support.net
710 Jean Street, Oakland, CA 94610-1459, U.S.A.
(ask me about the worldwide Mediterranean gardening discussion group)

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