| Buffalo thorn | |
|---|---|
| |
| |
| habit (summer) and fruit (winter) | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Rhamnaceae |
| Genus: | Ziziphus |
| Species: | Z. mucronata
|
| Binomial name | |
| Ziziphus mucronata | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Ziziphus mucronata, known as the buffalo thorn, is a species of tree in the family Rhamnaceae, native to southern Africa. It is deciduous and may grow up to 17 metres tall. It can survive in a variety of soil types, occurring in many habitats, mostly open woodlands, often on soils deposited by rivers, and grows frequently on termite mounds. Its Zulu name “umLahlankosi” alludes to its use as a grave marker for tribal chiefs, while the Afrikaans name “Blinkblaar-wag-'n-bietjie” alludes to the shiny light green leaves and the hooked thorns.[2]
- ^ The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species, retrieved 30 January 2016
- ^ Orwa et al.,2009; Mazibuko, 2007;Ellis, 2003