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The mango (Mangifera indica) is a drupe with an outer leathery skin (exocarp), a fleshy mesocarp and a hard, stony endocarp (pit) surrounding the large seed. Wave-worn, sun-bleached endocarps often wash ashore on tropical beaches, probably thrown overboard from ships and boats at sea.

See Article About Tropical Drift Seeds & Fruits

In addition to producing one of the most delicious fruits on earth, the wood of the mango tree (Mangifera indica) is often made into bowls, boxes and canisters.

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5. Pistachio Nut (Pistacia vera)

Pistachio (Pistacia vera), a dioecious tree in the sumac family (Anacardiaceae). It is native to the eastern Mediterranean region and central Asia where it has been cultivated for over 3,000 years. Like the almond, the fruit is drupaceous with a fleshy, greenish outer layer (exocarp and mesocarp) surrounding the hard, seed-bearing shell or endocarp. The seed has a papery seed coat and two greenish cotyledons. Commercial pictachio "nuts" are split, seed-bearing endocarps with the surrounding, fleshy fruit wall removed. The roasted, salted, greenish seeds are eaten raw and are the delectable ingredient in ice creams, cakes and nougat candies.

Unlike other species of Pistacia, the endocarps of edible pistachios (Pistacia vera), naturally split open at maturity. This is a very desirable characteristic for pistachio growers because the delicious seeds can easily be removed from the shell; however, some trees produce many endocarps that don't split. There are several hypotheses concerning "shell splitting," including harvest time, irrigation, Boron nutrition, dormant pruning, and parental genotypes. This phenomen is discussed by V.S. Polito and K. Pinney (1999): "Endocarp Dehiscence in Pitachio (Pistacia vera L.)" Int. J. Plant Sci. Vol. 160 (5): 827-835. According to Polito and Pinney, endocarp splitting also involves forces exerted by the enlargement of the kernel (seed) and apical dehiscence by cell separation.

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6. Chinese Pistachio (Pistacia chinensis)

Chinese pistache (Pistacia chinensis), a dioecious tree in the sumac family (Anacardiaceae). Native to China, Taiwan and the Philippine Islands, it is grown in southern California for its colorful compound (even pinnate) leaves during the autumn months and its bright red "berries." The red "berries" are actually small, one-seeded drupes which are not edible. A related species from the eastern Mediterranean region (P. lentiscus) is the source of "gum" mastic, an oleoresin used in perfumes, chewing gums, pharmaceuticals, dental adhesives, and in high grade varnishes for protecting pictures. Mastic is one of the oldest known high grade resins utilized by people, and it is extensively cultivated on the Greek island of Chios.

Chinese pistache (Pistacia chinensis) photographed in November at the San Diego Wild Animal Park. This tree produces some of the most spectacular red autumn foliage of any species in southern California. In fact, the fall coloration is reminiscent of deciduous trees of the eastern United States.

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7. Gum Mastic (Pistacia lentiscus)

Gum mastic or "Chios Tears," raw resin globules from the mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus). Mastic is one of the oldest known high grade resins utilized by people, and it is extensively cultivated on the Greek island of Chios. Mastic resin (technically an oleoresin) is used in perfumes, chewing gums, pharmaceuticals, in high grade varnishes for protecting pictures, and in adhesives for dental caps.

An ant entombed in a resin globule from the mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus). The insect-bearing resins of some trees become buried in the soil and gradually polymerize into amber.

See Wayne's Word Article About Amber

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8. South American Pepper Trees (Schinus)

A. Brazilian pepper tree (Schinus terebinthifolius), a naturalized species in southern California and a rampant weed in the Florida Everglades. B. Peruvian pepper tree (S. molle), another commonly naturalized dioecious species in southern California. Both species are members of the sumac family (Anacardiaceae), along with poison oak. The mature red berries of female trees superficially resemble the red berries of black pepper (Piper nigrum), but they are not related. Berries of S. molle are sometimes sold as "pink peppercorns." Although they are hot to the mouth, their use as a condiment is unwise because they contain volatile terpenes that can irritate mucous membranes in hypersensitive people.

A peppercorn medley, including the dried fruits and seeds of black pepper (Piper nigrum), coriander (Coriandum sativum) and allspice (Pimenta dioica). According to the label, the red fruits are from the Brazilian pepper tree (Schinus terebinthifolius). Dried fruits from South American pepper trees are not commonly seen in condiment mixtures. This mixture of spices is tasty, but volatile terpenes in the South American pepper trees can apparently irritate mucous membranes in hypersensitive people.

Resinous secretion from a freshly cut branch of the Peruvian pepper tree (Schinus molle). The resin does not contain the phenolic allergen urushiol as in some other toxic trees and shrubs of this family. In South America and Mexico the resin is used in folk remedies with many reported medicinal qualities, including antiseptic, aphrodesiac, astringent, bacteriocidal, viricidal, stimulant, tonic, balsamic, diuretic and purgative. In Mexico it has been used for treating tumors and worts. For more information see Plant Resins: Chemistry, Evolution, Ecology & Ethnobotany by J.H Langenheim (Timber Press, 2003); Green Pharmacy by J.A. Duke (Rodale Press, 1997).

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9. Smooth Sumac and Basket Bush

Left: Smooth sumac (Rhus glabra) in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia. Right: Cottonwoods and basket bush (Rhus trilobata) near Grand Junction, Colorado.

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10. Lemonade Berry (Rhus integrifolia)

Lemonade berry (Rhus integrifolia). This is a common shrub in the chaparral and coastal sage scrub of southern California and adjacent Baja California, Mexico. The flattened berries are covered with a whitish, viscid exudate and were used to make a refreshing lemony drink by early settlers. Berries of a related species called sugar bush (R. ovata) were used in a similar fashion by native Americans.

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11. Sugar Bush (Rhus ovata)

Sugar bush (Rhus ovata). This is a common shrub in the chaparral of southern California and adjacent Baja California, Mexico. Like lemonade berry (R. integrifolia), the flattened berries were used to make a refreshing, lemony drink by early settlers and native Americans. This shrub can easily be identified by its leathery green, ovate leaves. Like laurel sumac (Malosma laurina), the upper sides of the leaves are often folded lengthwise.

Sugar bush (Rhus ovata) showing flower buds in January.

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12. Laurel Sumac (Malosma laurina)

Laurel sumac (Malosma laurina), formerly Rhus laurina. Another common shrub in the chaparral and coastal sage scrub of southern California and adjacent Baja California, Mexico. Reddish new growth and evergreen foliage make this an attractive, drought-tolerant shrub. The upper sides of the characteristic leaves are folded lengthwise. Unlike most chaparral shrubs, leafy branches die back when exposed to freezing temperatures. For this reason, avocado growers in southern California have used this shrub as an indicator of frost. Like other shrubs of the chaparral and coastal sage scrub, this species resprouts from subterranean basal burls (lignotubers).

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13. Elephant Tree #1 (Pachycormus discolor)

Elephant tree, copalquín or torote blanco (Pachycormus discolor), a caudiciform xerophyte endemic to Baja California, Mexico. The enlarged trunk is covered with smooth, grayish-white bark that peels off in papery layers, exposing a waxy-smooth inner bark. The small, pinnate leaves are drought deciduous and emerge following rains. Another resinous "elephant tree" in the deserts of Baja California (Bursera microphylla) belongs to the torchwood family (Burseraceae).

Elephant tree or torote blanco (Pachycormus discolor) in full bloom.

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14. Elephant Tree #2 (Operculicarya decaryi)

The colorful fruits and leaves of another elephant tree (Operculicarya decaryi), endemic to Madagascar. Like torote blanco (Pachycormus discolor) of Baja California, it has an enlarged caudiciform trunk that stores water. The small, pinnate leaves are drought deciduous and emerge following rains.

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15. Burdekin Plum (Pleiogynium solandri)

The Australian (and Asian) burdekin plum (Pleiogynium solandri), also listed in some references as P. timorense. The fruits are used in jams and jellies. Mature fruits develop their best flavor when allowed to soften for several days after they are harvested.

The Australian (and Asian) burdekin plum (Pleiogynium solandri), also listed in some references as P. timorense. The fruits are used in jams and jellies. Mature fruits develop their best flavor when allowed to soften for several days after they are harvested. The large, ribbed seeds are also eaten. [Note: Jam is a preserve of slightly crushed fruit boiled with sugar; jelly is fruit juice boiled with sugar and sometimes pectin, then cooled to a soft, thick consistency.]

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