Zizyphus mauritiana

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Chinee Apple
• Chinese Date
• Indian Jujube
• Indian Plum
• Chinese-apple
• Chinese-date
• Indian-cherry
• Indian-plum
• common jujube
• cottony jujube
• Buffalo Thorn
• Chinese Apple

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Sarcomphalus mauritianus

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Under the subclass Magnoliidae, it is further organized into the order Rosales and the family Rhamnaceae. Finally, it is identified under the genus Ziziphus, specifically as the species Ziziphus mauritiana.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution spanning several distinct regions across the African continent and its surrounding islands. In Northern Africa, its presence is specifically documented within the territories of Algeria and Morocco. Moving toward the Atlantic, the species can also be found in the Macaronesian archipelago of Cape Verde. Its range extends further south into West Tropical Africa, where it inhabits the country of Benin. Additionally, the plant is recorded as growing within the borders of Burkina.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ziziphus mauritiana is characterized by its presence in specific moisture-rich environments, primarily occurring within coastal forests (Floresta Ciliar) or gallery forests (Galeria). The species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, spanning from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 1800 m AMSL. Throughout its natural range, it maintains an average elevation of approximately 1200 m AMSL, demonstrating a notable capacity to adapt to varying topographic gradients while remaining tied to these specialized riparian or coastal habitat structures.

Elevational range max:

1800 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1200 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria

Life history

The life history of Ziziphus mauritiana is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment over many years. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, a structural adaptation that supports its robust growth habit. The species maintains an evergreen deciduousness, ensuring that it retains its foliage throughout much of its life cycle, which contributes to its resilience in various climatic conditions. This combination of a long-lived perennial lifecycle and a phanerophyte life form enables the plant to establish a stable presence within its ecological niche.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ziziphus mauritiana is characterized by a woody growth form that can manifest as either a tree or a shrub. As a terrestrial species, it grows independently without being an epiphyte or a parasite. The plant is self-supporting rather than acting as a climber, liana, or vine. In terms of its physical dimensions, it reaches a mean plant height of 12.5 m, with a maximum height of up to 15 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15 m

Plant height mean:

12.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ziziphus mauritiana is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant's vegetative structure features leaves with varying dimensions; the leaf length typically averages 4.25 cm, ranging from a minimum of 2.5 cm to a maximum of 6 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width shows a mean of 3 cm, with measurements spanning from a minimum of 1.5 cm to a maximum of 4.5 cm. Furthermore, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on soil nutrient availability rather than symbiotic nitrogen fixation to support its physiological requirements.

Leaf length max:

6 cm

Leaf length mean:

4.25 cm

Leaf length min:

2.5 cm

Leaf width max:

4.5 cm

Leaf width mean:

3 cm

Leaf width min:

1.5 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ziziphus mauritiana is characterized by a complex biological process involving specific flowering, pollination, and dispersal mechanisms. The flowering period typically begins in March and concludes in April, though the timing can be variable across different months of the year. The plant produces inflorescences that are quite small, ranging in length from a minimum of 0.002 m to a maximum of 0.004 m. Pollination is driven by biotic syndromes, specifically relying on insects, with bees serving as a primary pollinator. Following successful fertilization, the plant develops fleshy fruit categorized as a drupe. These fruits vary in size, with a mean length of 1.1 cm (ranging from 1 cm to 1.2 cm) and are indehiscent in nature. The seeds contained within the fruit exhibit a mean mass of 0.45615 g, with individual seed masses ranging from a minimum of 0.20758 g to a maximum of 1.538 g. Furthermore, the seed volume is consistent at approximately 510 mm³. The dispersal of these seeds is primarily zoochorous, meaning they are spread by animals, which facilitates the plant's ability to colonize new environments.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Flowering time :

Mar

Flowering time :

Apr

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit length max:

1.2 cm

Fruit length mean:

1.1 cm

Fruit length min:

1 cm

Fruit type :

drupe

Inflorescence length max:

0.004 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.002 m

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

1.538 g

Seed mass mean:

0.45615 g

Seed mass min:

0.20758 g

Seed volume max:

510 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Ziziphus mauritiana has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, seed.

Leaf

1. BioMed research international

Seed

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Chemicals

Ziziphus mauritiana has 41 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, 2-vinyl-9-[beta-d-ribofuranosyl] hypoxanthine, 4-Acetylbutyric acid, AST, AlP.

Flavonoids

1. PloS one
2. Frontiers in pharmacology

2-vinyl-9-[beta-d-ribofuranosyl] hypoxanthine

1. Journal of vector borne diseases

4-Acetylbutyric acid

1. Journal of vector borne diseases

AST

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

AlP

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Alkanes

1. Journal of vector borne diseases

Amines

1. Journal of vector borne diseases

Antioxidants

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Betulinic aldehyde

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Activities

Ziziphus mauritiana has 9 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Antidepressant, Antidiabetic, Antitussive.

Antioxidant

1. PloS one
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR
3. Food chemistry

Antimicrobial

1. PloS one
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Antidepressant

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Antidiabetic

1. Food chemistry

Antitussive

1. The Malaysian journal of medical sciences : MJMS

Cytotoxic

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Hepatoprotective

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Immunomodulator

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Nootropic

1. The Malaysian journal of medical sciences : MJMS

Medicinal Uses

Ziziphus mauritiana has 21 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Listeria monocytogenes, Malaria, Salmonella Typhi.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations