Distributed in the eastern Mediterranean region, mainly in S. Greece, S. Turkey, W. Syria, Lebanon and Israel, this small dioecius evergreen can be found growing on rocky sites ranging from 800-1700 m.a.s.l. .The plant's female flowers form hard, fleshy fruits that take 2-3 years to mature. Once ripe, they are collected and turned into pekmez, a high-energy molasses, rich in sugar and in various mineral elements such as K, Ca, P, Mg, Na, and Zn among others.