The pistachio, Pistacia vera in the Anacardiaceae family, is a small tree native to regions of Africa, Syria, Iran, Turkey, Greece, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Pakistan, India and possibly Afghanistan (especially in the provinces of Samangan and Badghis). The tree produces an important culinary nut.
Pistachio is a desert plant, and is highly tolerant of saline soil. It has been reported to grow well when irrigated with water having 3,000 to 4,000 ppm of soluble salts. Pistachio trees are fairly hardy in the right conditions, and can survive temperatures ranging between minus 10 degrees celsius...