Ziziphus nummularia

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ziziphus nummularia var. glabrescens
• Ziziphus rotundifolia
• Ziziphus microphylla
• Rhamnus nummularia

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

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

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across several key regions within Western Asia. Specifically, its presence can be documented throughout the country of Afghanistan. It also grows extensively across the landscapes of Iran and Iraq. Furthermore, its geographical range extends into the territory of Palestine. Finally, the distribution of this species includes the Sinai Peninsula.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ziziphus nummularia is characterized by its preference for specific altitudinal gradients within its native habitats. This species thrives within a defined elevational range, typically establishing itself at altitudes starting from a minimum of 600 m AMSL and extending up to a maximum of 1300 m AMSL. Within this vertical niche, the plant adapts to the varying climatic conditions and soil compositions found across these mid-elevation zones, playing a functional role in its local ecosystem.

Elevational range max:

1300 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

600 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Ziziphus nummularia is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to maintain its presence in its habitat over many growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth and survival strategy, the plant exhibits life forms categorized as both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte, indicating its ability to maintain its buds and reproductive structures above the ground level through varying environmental conditions.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ziziphus nummularia is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub, exhibiting a robust and self-supporting structure. It is categorized as a terrestrial plant, functioning as an independent organism without any parasitic or epiphytic tendencies. As a non-climbing, self-supporting shrub, it maintains a stable, woody architecture that distinguishes it from herbaceous or climbing species.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ziziphus nummularia is characterized by a specialized metabolic framework adapted to its environmental niche, most notably through its utilization of the C3 photosynthetic pathway. As a C3 plant, its carbon fixation process relies on the direct carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) by the enzyme RuBisCO, leading to the initial formation of a three-carbon compound, 3-phosphoglycerate. This metabolic strategy dictates its gas exchange patterns and water-use efficiency, as the plant must balance the intake of carbon dioxide with the potential for photorespiration, especially under thermal stress. Beyond its photosynthetic mechanism, the plant's physiological functions include robust secondary metabolism, which facilitates the synthesis of bioactive compounds, and specialized anatomical adaptations that support transpiration and nutrient transport within its woody structure.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ziziphus nummularia is characterized by a highly flexible and variable flowering phenology. The plant exhibits a broad flowering window that can span across various months of the year, including January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, and December, depending on environmental conditions. Specifically, the flowering period can begin as early as March, though the timing is considered variable. The conclusion of the flowering phase is equally adaptable, with the flowering end potentially occurring in April or shifting throughout the calendar year. This wide range of temporal availability for flowering suggests an adaptive reproductive strategy that allows the species to respond to fluctuating seasonal patterns.

Flowering time :

Mar

Flowering time :

Apr

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Ziziphus nummularia has 2 reported plant parts identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, fruit.

Leaf

1. Inflammopharmacology
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Artificial cells, nanomedicine, and biotechnology
4. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Fruit

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Ziziphus nummularia has 17 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Saponins, Apigenin 7-O-glucoside, CATECHIN, Glycosides.

Flavonoids

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Saponins

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Apigenin 7-O-glucoside

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

CATECHIN

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Glycosides

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Jujuboside A

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Jujuboside B

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Phenols

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

RUTIN

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Silver nanoparticles

1. Artificial cells, nanomedicine, and biotechnology

Activities

Ziziphus nummularia has 11 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Analgesic, Anthelmintic, Antibacterial.

Antioxidant

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Inflammopharmacology
3. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis
4. Artificial cells, nanomedicine, and biotechnology

Antimicrobial

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Artificial cells, nanomedicine, and biotechnology
3. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Analgesic

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Anthelmintic

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antibacterial

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Anticancer

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antidiabetic

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Cardioprotective

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Cytotoxic

1. Artificial cells, nanomedicine, and biotechnology

Genotoxic

1. Artificial cells, nanomedicine, and biotechnology

Medicinal Uses

Ziziphus nummularia has 12 reported medicinal uses identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include E. coli, Rheumatoid arthritis, anemia, antioxidant, arthritis.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations