Ziziphus mauritiana

Ziziphus mauritiana

The Indian jujube or Indian plum, Chinese date, Chinee apple (Ziziphus mauritiana Lam. 1789) is a tree species belonging to the Rhamnaceae family.

Systematics –
Domain Eukaryota,
Kingdom Plantae,
Division Magnoliophyta,
Class Magnoliopsida,
Order Rhamnales,
Family Rhamnaceae,
Genus Ziziphus,
Species Z. mauritiana.
Synonyms:
– Rhamnus jujuba L.;
– Sarcomphalus mauritianus (Lam.) Raf.;
– Ziziphus hysundrica (Edgew.) Hole;
– Ziziphus indica Chaz.;
– Ziziphus insularis C.Sm.;
– Ziziphus jujuba (L.) Gaertn.;
– Ziziphus jujuba (L.) Lam.;
– Ziziphus jujuba var. hysundrica Edgew.;
– Ziziphus jujuba var. stenocarpa Kuntze;
– Ziziphus macrocarpa W.P.Fang;
– Ziziphus macrocarpa W.P.Fang ex Y.L.Chen & P.K.Chou;
– Ziziphus mairei (H.Lév.) Browicz & Lauener;
– Ziziphus mauritiana subsp. orthacantha (DC.) A.Chev.;
– Ziziphus mauritiana var. deserticola A.Chev.;
– Ziziphus mauritiana var. hysundrica (Edgew.) M.R.Almeida;
– Ziziphus mauritiana var. Muratiana (Maire) A.Chev.;
– Ziziphus mauritiana var. orthacantha (DC.) A.Chev.;
– Ziziphus mumtiana Maire;
– Ziziphus muratiana Maire;
– Ziziphus orthacantha DC.;
– Ziziphus poiretii G.Don;
– Ziziphus rotunda DC.;
– Ziziphus rotundata DC.;
– Ziziphus tomentosa Poir.;
– Ziziphus zingiber;
– Zizyphus jujuba (L.) Gaertn.;
– Zizyphus jujuba Lam.;
– Zizyphus mauritiana Lam.;
– Zizyphus poiretii G.Don.
Within this species the following varieties are recognised:
– Ziziphus mauritiana var. fruticosa (Haines) Sebastine & A.N.Henry;
– Ziziphus mauritiana var. mauritiana;
– Ziziphus mauritiana var. pedunculata Bhandari & Bhansali;
– Ziziphus mauritiana var. pubescens Bhandari & Bhansali;
– Ziziphus mauritiana var. spontanea (Edgew.) R.R.Stewart ex Qaiser & Nazim.

Etymology –
The genus Ziziphus probably derives from an ancient Persian term, zizfum or zizafun, or from the Arabic zizouf, a name used to indicate some related species of jujube found throughout the Mediterranean basin, such as Ziziphus lotus. As early as classical antiquity, the Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder used the Latin term zizyphus to refer to the jujube, from which the modern scientific name later derived.
The specific epithet mauritiana means “coming from Mauritius” or “relating to Mauritius.” However, this geographical indication does not correspond to the true origin of the species. It is likely that the name was given in the 18th century, when the island of Mauritius was an important botanical trading center during the colonial period: many tropical species passed through this commercial hub before being scientifically described.

Geographical Distribution and Habitat –
Ziziphus mauritiana is a typically tropical plant, generally native to a vast area encompassing South Asia, southern China, Southeast Asia, and parts of Central and West Africa. Over time, thanks to human diffusion and the plant’s remarkable ecological adaptability, it has expanded to much of the world’s tropical regions.
Today, the species is widely naturalized in tropical and southern Africa, the Middle East, throughout South Asia, Australia, the Pacific islands, and many areas of the Caribbean and tropical America. In some areas, such as Fiji or parts of northern Australia, the plant has adapted so well that it behaves like an invasive species, forming dense populations that are difficult to control.
The Indian jujube’s natural habitat is very diverse. The plant grows wild in arid and semi-arid savannahs, coastal scrublands, along waterways, and on abandoned agricultural land. It is also common along roadsides and in disturbed areas, where it can rapidly colonize the soil.
Altitude-wise, it is primarily found from sea level up to about 1,000 meters, which is also the usual limit for commercial cultivation. In some parts of Asia, however, it can grow wild up to 1,650–1,800 meters.
The species is extremely climate-hardy. It can grow with annual rainfall ranging from just 125 mm to over 2,200 mm, although its natural distribution is more frequent in regions with about 300–500 mm of annual rainfall. It tolerates very high temperatures, up to 50°C, while its minimum survival limit is around 7°C.
It also demonstrates great adaptability in terms of soil: it grows on sandy, gravelly, or alluvial soils, on lateritic soils, and even on alkaline or saline substrates. The ideal soils, however, are deep and well-drained, with a neutral or slightly alkaline pH.

Description –
Ziziphus mauritiana is an evergreen shrub or small tree belonging to the Rhamnaceae family. In favorable conditions, it can reach 10–12 meters in height, sometimes even more, with a trunk that can exceed 30 centimeters in diameter. In drier or nutrient-poor environments, it tends to maintain a more compact growth habit, taking on the appearance of a shrub a few meters tall.
The crown is broad and spreading, composed of numerous pendulous branches that give the plant a slightly drooping appearance. Young branches are often arranged in a zigzag pattern and bear short, pointed thorns, either straight or slightly hooked; however, some cultivated varieties are almost thornless.
A very important element of the plant’s biology is its root system. From the early stages of growth, a very deep taproot develops, capable of reaching the lower layers of the soil where moisture is still available. This characteristic represents a fundamental adaptation to arid environments and explains the species’ high drought tolerance.
The leaves are alternate, ovate or elliptical in shape, with a rounded tip. They generally measure between 2.5 and 6 centimeters in length and 2 to 4 centimeters in width. A typical feature is the presence of three main longitudinal veins that originate from the petiole attachment point. The upper surface is smooth and dark green, while the lower surface is lighter and covered with fine hairs.
The flowers are very small, yellow-green in color, and have five petals. They develop in the leaf axils and generally open in the early morning or late afternoon, depending on the variety. Pollination is entrusted to insects attracted by the nectar and scent of the flowers; among the main pollinators are bees, wasps, and flies. The flowers exhibit a phenomenon called protandry, whereby the male organs mature before the female ones, necessitating cross-pollination between different individuals. The characteristic odor of the flowers is due to the presence of skatole, a volatile organic compound released during the full bloom phase.
The fruit is a drupe with variable shape: it can be oval, round, or slightly elongated. Most varieties measure about 2.5–4 centimeters, but some cultivars can produce fruits up to 6 centimeters long. During ripening, the color changes from light green to yellow, then to yellow-orange, and finally to red-brown.
When the fruit is still unripe, the pulp is white, crunchy, and slightly tart, resembling an apple in consistency. As it ripens, it becomes softer, juicier, and slightly floury, developing a pleasant aroma and a sweet-tart flavor. Inside is a hard, wrinkled stone containing one or two ellipsoid red-brown seeds.
Nutritionally, the fruit contains approximately 81–83% water, 17% carbohydrates, small amounts of protein and fat, and above all, a significant amount of vitamin C. Its vitamin C content is higher than that of citrus fruits and apples and is surpassed only by a few tropical fruits, such as guava.

Cultivation –
Ziziphus mauritiana is cultivated in numerous tropical and subtropical regions, primarily for its fruit. The main production areas are in the arid and semi-arid regions of India, where the crop is of great economic importance, but the plant is also grown in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam, the Caribbean, and various parts of tropical Africa.
It is an extremely hardy species, capable of growing in difficult climatic conditions. It tolerates long periods of drought but can also survive in temporarily waterlogged soil. It grows well in full sun and produces better quality fruit in warm, relatively dry climates, provided there is a rainy season that favors vegetative growth and flowering.
Propagation can be by seed, cuttings, or grafting. Seeds are dispersed naturally by numerous animals, including birds, livestock, and wild mammals. In cultivation, grafting onto rootstocks of related species is often used to obtain plants with better yielding characteristics. Seeds stored in the pit can maintain germination for over two years, although the germination rate decreases over time.
In India, over ninety cultivated varieties have been selected, differing in growth habit, ripening period, and fruit characteristics. Among the best-known cultivars are Banarasi, Kaithli, Nazuk, Sanauri, and Umran.
The plant grows rapidly and can begin producing fruit as early as three to five years after planting. A mature tree, during its peak production period between 10 and 20 years of age, can produce 80–200 kilograms of fruit per year, equivalent to several tens of thousands of drupes.

Uses and Traditions –
The species was formally described in 1789 by the French botanist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck in his Encyclopédie Méthodique, Botanique. Over time, some confusion has arisen with Ziziphus jujuba, the Chinese jujube tree common in temperate climates. For a long time, the name of the latter species was mistakenly applied to the tropical form; today, botanical nomenclature clearly distinguishes the tropical species as Ziziphus mauritiana.
The plant is known by numerous popular names: in English, Indian jujube, Indian plum, or Chinee apple, while in India it is called ber. In the Caribbean and some regions of Latin America, the fruit is known as ponsigué or ponceré.
The main use of Ziziphus mauritiana is as a food. The fruits are eaten fresh or processed into numerous traditional preparations. In many regions of India, ripe fruits are simply eaten raw, while slightly unripe ones can be candied or preserved in salt. In other cases, they are dried in the sun and ground into a powder for consumption out of season.
In tropical America, the fruit has given rise to some local traditions. In Venezuela, especially in the eastern regions, it is used to prepare a liqueur called crema de ponsigué, generally obtained by macerating the fruit in rum or the traditional drink known as cocuy. In the Dominican Republic, the fruit is known as ponceré.
The leaves of the plant also have some nutritional value for domestic animals: they are readily consumed by camels, cattle, and goats and are a source of fodder in arid regions.
The flowers produce nectar that can be collected by bees; the honey obtained from this species generally has a golden amber color and a slightly malty, earthy flavor.
The wood also has numerous uses. It is hard, resistant, fine-grained, and reddish in color. In various regions, it is used to make agricultural tools, tool handles, boat parts, and turned objects. It is also a good source of fuel, producing high-quality firewood and charcoal. In some areas of tropical Africa, the thorny branches are woven together to form fences for livestock or used in the roofing of traditional huts.

Preparation or Use –
The fruits of Ziziphus mauritiana can be consumed in a variety of ways. In their simplest form, they are eaten fresh when fully ripe, while the unripe ones are sometimes seasoned with salt or spices. In many regions, the fruits are soaked in saline solutions and then candied, resulting in a highly prized sweet treat.
A traditional preservation method involves drying the ripe fruits in the sun. Once dehydrated, they can be ground into an aromatic powder used as a food during periods when fresh fruit is unavailable. The pulp can also be mashed to make refreshing drinks, or transformed into a thick paste similar to a cream or condiment.
The plant also has a long tradition in folk medicine. The fresh leaves are often crushed and applied as a poultice to treat wounds, boils, acne, and other skin conditions. A decoction of the leaves is used as a diuretic and sometimes even as a hair wash. The bark and roots possess astringent properties and are used for diarrhea and digestive disorders; a bark paste fried in ghee has traditionally been used in India to relieve chronic coughs.
The seeds are considered sedative and calming in traditional medicine and are sometimes taken to relieve nausea and nervous disorders. The flowers are also used in traditional preparations: a light infusion can be used as an eye lotion.
Finally, the species also offers potential energy benefits. The oil extracted from the seeds contains fatty acid methyl esters that meet several international standards for biodiesel production, and the plant could therefore be cultivated in arid or semi-arid regions where other crops are difficult to grow.

Guido Bissanti

Sources
– Acta Plantarum – Flora delle Regioni italiane.
– Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
– GBIF, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility.
– Useful Tropical Plants Database.
– Conti F., Abbate G., Alessandrini A., Blasi C. (eds.), 2005. An annotated checklist of the Italian vascular flora, Palombi Editore.
– Pignatti S., 1982. Flora d’Italia, Edagricole, Bologna.
– Treben M., 2000. Health from the Lord’s Pharmacy, Advice and Experiences with Medicinal Herbs, Ennsthaler Editore.

Photo source:
– https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/598907203/original.jpg

Warning: The pharmaceutical applications and dietary uses are provided for informational purposes only and do not in any way constitute medical prescriptions. We therefore decline any responsibility for their use for curative, aesthetic, or nutritional purposes.