large jujube

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• large jujube

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ziziphus jujuba f. obliquifolia
• Ziziphus jujuba var. abyssinica
• Ziziphus jujuba var. nemoralis
• Ziziphus atacorensis
• Ziziphus atacorensis var. oblongifolia
• Ziziphus mauritiana var. abyssinica

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Ziziphus abyssinica, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Rosales and the family Rhamnaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by the genus Ziziphus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Ziziphus abyssinica, exhibits a specific geographical distribution across the West Tropical Africa region. It can be found growing within the borders of Benin and Burkina. Furthermore, its presence extends into the territories of Ghana and Guinea. The species is also documented to inhabit parts of the Ivory Coast. Consequently, its natural range is concentrated within these distinct West African nations.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Ziziphus abyssinica is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its perennable life form is defined by its ability to maintain its buds well above the soil surface, typically manifesting as a woody shrub or small tree. This phanerophyte growth habit ensures its survival and structural stability within its ecological niche throughout its extended lifespan.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ziziphus abyssinicca is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically manifesting as a shrub. It is a terrestrial plant that functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte. As a self-supporting species, it does not exhibit climbing tendencies such as being a liana or a vine. In terms of stature, the plant reaches a mean height of approximately 4 m, with a recorded maximum height of about 3.66 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3.657644477 m

Plant height mean:

4 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ziziphus abyssiniaca is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing the standard Calvin cycle to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide into organic compounds. This metabolic strategy dictates its carbon assimilation efficiency and water-use patterns within its native ecological niches. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria necessary to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, and instead relies on the uptake of nitrogenous compounds, such as nitrates and ammonium, directly from the soil substrate.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ziziphus abyssinica is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily facilitated by insects, with bees playing a significant role in the transfer of pollen. The plant produces fleshy fruits, which serve as the vessel for its reproductive components. Within these fruits, the seeds exhibit specific morphological dimensions, maintaining a consistent seed volume of 1900 mm³. The seed mass shows notable variability, with a minimum mass of 1.3322 g, a mean mass of 1.590195 g, and a maximum mass reaching 1.87564 g, reflecting the natural range of development within the species.

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

1.87564 g

Seed mass mean:

1.590195 g

Seed mass min:

1.3322 g

Seed volume max:

1900 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Ziziphus abyssinica has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. The Central African journal of medicine

Chemicals

Ziziphus abyssinica has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoid, Glycosides, Polpunonic acid, Saponins.

Flavonoid

1. Toxicology reports

Glycosides

1. Toxicology reports

Polpunonic acid

1. Bioorganic chemistry

Saponins

1. Toxicology reports

Medicinal Uses

Ziziphus abyssinica has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include malaria, rheumatoid arthritis.

Most Reported Uses