The evergreen mastic shrub belongs to the sumac family and grows to a height of 1 to 3 meters. It is found in the European and African Mediterranean region, also in Turkey, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, Syria and the Canary Islands.
The unisexual flowers show dark red anthers in the male flowers, the female flowers are greenish, flowering time March to June. The spherical fruits have a diameter of 3 to 4 mm and change color from red to black. The branches and leaves are often used as accessories in bouquets.
The hardened resin balsam(mastic) is used phytotherapeutically.