Ziziphus

Ziziphus
Ziziphus jujuba, by Adolphus Ypey
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rhamnaceae
Tribe: Paliureae
Genus: Ziziphus
Mill. (1754)
Type species
Ziziphus jujuba
Mill. (1768), nom. cons.[2]
Species[1]

68; see text

Synonyms[1]
  • Chloroxylum P.Browne (1756)
  • Jububa Bubani (1897)
  • Mansana J.F.Gmel. (1791)
  • Zizyphon St.-Lag. (1880), orth. var.

Ziziphus /ˈzɪzɪfəs/[3] is a genus of spiny shrubs and small trees in the buckthorn family, Rhamnaceae. It includes 68 species native to tropical and subtropical Africa, Eurasia, and Australia and tropical South America.[1] The leaves are alternate, entire, with three prominent basal veins, and often aromatic. The flowers are small, inconspicuous yellow-green. The fruit is an edible drupe, often very sweet and sugary, reminiscent of a date in texture and flavour.

Well known species include the commonly cultivated Ziziphus jujuba (jujube), Ziziphus spina-christi from southwestern Asia, Ziziphus lotus from the Mediterranean region, and ber (Ziziphus mauritiana), which is found from western Africa to India.

  1. ^ a b c "Ziziphus Mill". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  2. ^ "Ziziphus Mill". TROPICOS. Missouri Botanical Database. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  3. ^ Sunset Western Garden Book, 1995:606–607