Trees or shrubs, dioecious. Leaves pari- or imparipinnate, rarely 3-foliolate or simple; leaflets entire. Inflorescence paniculate. Male flowers with reduced 1- or 2-parted perianth, or perianth lacking; stamens 3-5, rarely 7, filaments short, adnate to disk, anthers large, ovoid; pistillode small or absent. Female flowers with reduced 2-5-parted perianth; staminode absent; disk minute or absent; ovary superior, 1-locular and 1-ovulate, style short with 3 spreading stigmas. Drupe red at maturity, pointed; endocarp bony. Seed without endosperm.

In addition to the native species described below, Pistacia vera Linnaeus is cultivated in Xinjiang for its edible seeds (pistachio nuts).

About ten species: Mediterranean region to Afghanistan, E to SE Asia, Central and South America; two species (one endemic) in China.