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Chinese Pistache

Pistacia chinensis

Other Common Names

None for this invasive

Plant Category

Tree

Invasive Description

Chinese pistache, native to China and eastern Asia, grows up to 25 ft in gardens. This deciduous species has glossy green leaves consisting of up to 10 pairs of leaflets that in autumn turn yellow, orange and scarlet. The inconspicuous flowers, borne in panicles, are followed in summer by small red spherical seed pods that turn blue in fall and attract birds.

Ecological Threat

Chinese pistache has been seen invading natural areas in Central Texas, including both ranchland and forested/riparian areas. It will replace native plants altering the habitat for native animals and plants. Female trees do not produce large quantities of seeds until established in the landscape for fifteen or twenty years. But once mature, the female tree will produce large quantities of seeds, which are easily spread.

How to Eradicate

For information on how to eradicate this invasive, view our statement on herbicide use and preferred alternatives for invasive plants.

Native Alternatives

You can replace this invasive plant with native alternatives. Here are some plants that make superior replacements.

Match your location on the Texas map to the color squares on the replacement plants below to find suitable replacements for your ecoregion.

Click for more details about the ecoregions