Christ's thorn

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Syrian Christ-thorn
• Christ's-thorn

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Rhamnus spina-christi

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. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Rosales, it is further categorized under the family Rhamnaceae. Its specific taxonomic identification is within the genus Ziziphus, where it is known as Ziziphus spina-christi.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several key regions of the African continent. In Northern Africa, its presence is well-documented within the borders of Algeria. It is also commonly found throughout the landscapes of Egypt and Libya. Furthermore, the species extends its range into the territory of Tunisia. Finally, the distribution reaches into West Tropical Africa, specifically within the country of Burkina.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Ziziphus spina-christi is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over many years. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its buds well above the ground level, typically developing into a robust, woody shrub or small tree. Its foliage exhibits an evergreen deciduousness, meaning it retains its leaves for extended periods, providing continuous physiological activity and structural stability throughout its life cycle.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ziziphus spina-christi is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, typically functioning as a self-supporting structure. This species is a terrestrial plant that grows independently, showing no parasitic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, it reaches a significant height, with an average height of approximately 10 m and a maximum recorded height of about 9.14 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

9.144111192 m

Plant height mean:

10 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ziziphus spina-christi is characterized by a metabolic framework adapted to arid environments, utilizing a C3 photosynthetic pathway for carbon fixation. This pathway involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide by the enzyme RuBisCO within the mesophyll cells, which is typical for many woody perennials in this genus. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, instead relying on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ziziphus spina-christi is characterized by a biological cycle that relies heavily on biotic interactions and specific seasonal timings. The flowering period is highly variable, though it typically sees significant activity starting around March and concluding around April, though the species can exhibit flowering across various months of the year. The pollination process is strictly biotic, utilizing an insect-based pollination syndrome, with bees serving as a primary pollinator agent. Following successful pollination, the plant produces seeds with a mean mass of approximately 0.4606 g. The individual seed weight exhibits a specific range, with a minimum mass recorded at 0.3074 g and a maximum mass reaching up to 0.6670 g.

Flowering time :

Mar

Flowering time :

Apr

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.667047 g

Seed mass mean:

0.460589571 g

Seed mass min:

0.30741 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Ziziphus spina-christi has 3 reported plant parts identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, fruit, root.

Leaf

1. Scientific reports
2. Microorganisms
3. Inflammopharmacology
4. Nanomedicine (London, England)

Fruit

1. Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society

Root

1. Biochemistry research international

Chemicals

Ziziphus spina-christi has 23 reported phytochemicals identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Saponins, polyphenols, 6'''-Feruloylspinosin, 6'''-Sinapoylspinosin.

Flavonoids

1. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie
2. Nutrients
3. Environmental science and pollution research international

Saponins

1. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie
2. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials
3. Food chemistry

polyphenols

1. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie
2. Nutrients

6'''-Feruloylspinosin

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

6'''-Sinapoylspinosin

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Antioxidants

1. Nutrients

Ash

1. PeerJ

Epigallocatechin

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Esters

1. Environmental science and pollution research international

Fatty acids

1. Environmental science and pollution research international

Activities

Ziziphus spina-christi has 9 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Cytotoxic, Antibacterial, Antidiabetic.

Antioxidant

1. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie
2. Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
3. PeerJ
4. Biochemistry research international
5. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Antimicrobial

1. Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
2. PeerJ
3. Environmental science and pollution research international

Cytotoxic

1. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie
2. Scientific reports

Antibacterial

1. Biochemistry research international

Antidiabetic

1. Food chemistry

Antifibrotic

1. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie

Free-Radical Scavenging

1. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie

Hypoglycemic

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Hypotensive

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Ziziphus spina-christi has 37 reported medicinal uses identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, cancer, obesity, Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations