Ziziphus mauritiana (jujube)
Index
- Pictures
- Identity
- Summary of Invasiveness
- Taxonomic Tree
- Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Description
- Plant Type
- Distribution
- Distribution Table
- History of Introduction and Spread
- Introductions
- Risk of Introduction
- Habitat
- Habitat List
- Hosts/Species Affected
- Biology and Ecology
- Climate
- Latitude/Altitude Ranges
- Air Temperature
- Rainfall
- Rainfall Regime
- Soil Tolerances
- Notes on Natural Enemies
- Means of Movement and Dispersal
- Pathway Causes
- Pathway Vectors
- Impact Summary
- Economic Impact
- Environmental Impact
- Social Impact
- Risk and Impact Factors
- Uses
- Uses List
- Wood Products
- Similarities to Other Species/Conditions
- Prevention and Control
- Gaps in Knowledge/Research Needs
- References
- Links to Websites
- Organizations
- Contributors
- Distribution Maps
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Top of page| Picture | Title | Caption | Copyright |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fruiting | Ziziphus mauritiana, 'Jujub tree', fruiting in Oman. | ©Chris Parker/Bristol, UK | |
| Mature tree | ©K.M. Siddiqui | ||
| Flowering shoot | Flowering shoot of Ziziphus mauritiana, 'Jujub tree', in Mali. | ©Chris Parker/Bristol, UK | |
| Tree in arid environment | ©K.M. Siddiqui | ||
| Hedgerow on field boundary | ©K.M. Siddiqui | ||
| Seedling | ©K.M. Siddiqui | ||
| Flowering branch | ©K.M. Siddiqui | ||
| Foliage, flowers, fruits | Close-up of leaves showing flowers and developing fruits. | ICRAF | |
| Flower | ©K.M. Siddiqui | ||
| Line artwork | Flowering and fruiting branch. | ©PROSEA Foundation |
Identity
Top of pagePreferred Scientific Name
- Ziziphus mauritiana Lam.
Preferred Common Name
- jujube
Other Scientific Names
- Rhamnus jujuba L.
- Ziziphus aucheri Boiss.
- Ziziphus insularis Smith
- Ziziphus jujuba (L.) Gaertn., nom. illeg.
- Ziziphus jujube (L.) Lam.
- Ziziphus mauritania nom. illeg.
- Ziziphus orthocantha D.C.
- Ziziphus rotundata D.C.
- Ziziphus sonoria Roem. And Schult
- Ziziphus tomentosa Poir.
- Zizyphus mauritiana nom. illeg.
International Common Names
- English: Chinese date; Chinese fig; Chinese jujube; cottony jujube; desert apple; Indian cherry; Indian date; Indian jujube; Indian plum; jujuba; Malay jujube
- Spanish: azufaifo; yuyuba
- French: datte chinoise; jujubier
Local Common Names
- Afghanistan: berra (Pashto)
- Australia: chinee apple; Chinese apple
- Bangladesh: bozoi; kool; kul
- Barbados: dunk; mangustine
- Cambodia: putrea
- Cape Verde: zimbrao (crioulu)
- China: hong tsao; lang tsao; ta tsao; tsao tsao
- Dominican Republic: perita haitiana
- Ethiopia: abateria (Tigre); gaba-artigie (Tigre); gewa-ortigi (Tigre)
- Fiji: baer; baher; bahir
- Germany: Filzblattrige Jujube; Indischer Jujubenstrauch
- Greece: tzintzola
- Guadeloupe: dindoulier; gingeolier; liane croc chien; petit pomme; pomme malcadi; pomme surette
- India: ajapriya; badari; ber; beri; berii; bhor; boguri; borkuli; boroi; boro-koli; cherumali; dadara; elandai; elangi; elantha; elladu; etachi; ganga reni; ilamda; jelachi; karak-andhova; karkandhu; khati; kool; kuvala; madhuvaphala; reegu; regureni; yelchi; yellande
- Indonesia: bidara; dara; widara
- Iran: kanar; kunar; nabik
- Iraq: aunnaberhindi; nabig; sidr
- Italy: guiggiolo
- Jamaica: coolie plum; crabapple
- Japan: sanebuto-natsume
- Kenya: ekalati (Turkana); mkunazi (Kiswahilli); olongo (Luo); tolumuro (Pokot)
- Laos: than
- Malawi: massawo (Chewa); msonoka (Yao)
- Malaysia: bidara; epal siam; jujub
- Mali: domo (Bambara); mgaria (Haussa); ntomono (Bambara); surgo ntomono (Bambara); tomboro (Bambara); tomonou (Bambara)
- Martinique: dindoulier; gingeolier; liane croc chien; petit pomme; pomme malcadi; pomme surette
- Myanmar: eng-si; zee-pen; zi; ziben; zizidaw
- Nepal: baer
- Pakistan: ber (Urdu); berwarter (Baluchi); jujube; ker; kunar (Baluchi)
- Philippines: manzanita
- Portugal: jujubeira; maciera
- Puerto Rico: aprin; yuyubi
- Senegal: dem (Wolof); dim (Wolof); djabi (Peulh); djabie (Peulh); n'giobi (Peulh); sedem (Wolof); tabi (Peulh)
- Somalia: bheb (Arabic); gob (Arabic); jujube (Arabic); nabk (Arabic)
- Sri Lanka: ilanda (Sinhalese); mahadebara (Sinhalese); masaka (Sinhalese); yellande
- Sudan: nabbag elfil; sir nabk (Arabic)
- Tanzania: mkunazi (Kiswahilli)
- Thailand: ma tan; ma thong; man tan; phutsa; putsa
- Trinidad and Tobago: dunks
- Uganda: esilang (Karamajong)
- Venezuela: ponsigne; yuyubo
- Vietnam: c[aa]y t[as]o ta; tao; tao nhuc
- Zambia: akasongole (Bemba); massau (Nyanja); musawce (Tonga)
- Zimbabwe: masua (Shona, Tonga); musawu (Shona, Tangu); yanja (Shona, Tangu)
EPPO code
- ZIPMA (Ziziphus mauritiana)
Summary of Invasiveness
Top of page Z. mauritiana is a fast growing, spiny, thicket-forming shrub or tree, which can fruit prolifically and disperse seeds over a wide area using mammalian and avian vectors. However, it is also a valuable commercial fruit crop in its native Asia, mostly in India and China, and its promotion as a drought-tolerant fruit species means that further introductions are likely. It is a declared noxious weed in three Australian states and is noted as invasive in parts of southern Africa and on a number of Pacific and Indian Ocean islands. It is hard to control because of vigorous resprouting and has the ability to resist fire and mechanical treatments. Other species of Ziziphus also have the potential to become invasive, and Ziziphus spina-cristi is already recognized as such.Taxonomic Tree
Top of page- Domain: Eukaryota
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Phylum: Spermatophyta
- Subphylum: Angiospermae
- Class: Dicotyledonae
- Order: Rhamnales
- Family: Rhamnaceae
- Genus: Ziziphus
- Species: Ziziphus mauritiana
Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature
Top of pageThe genus Ziziphus (family Rhamnaceae) is generally accepted as containing 86 species (Mabberley, 1997; Azam-Ali et al., 2006), most of which are Indomalesian, with some from West Asia, tropical and South Africa, Australia and tropical America (Parker, 1956). Ziziphus mauritiana was first named as Ziziphus jujube in 1789 by Lamarck. According to Luna (1996), two varieties are recognized in India: var. hysudrica, which is wild or cultivated with large fruit, and var. fruiticosa, which is a small shrub in the sub-Himalayan tract, with small fruit. Numerous identifiable cultivars have also been developed for fruit production (Bal, 1992; Azam-Ali et al., 2006). It is important to note that there has been taxonomic confusion within the genus, particularly between the two common, cultivated species, Z. mauritiana from India and Z. jujuba from China. Special attention to the authorities is also required as, for example, Z. jujuba (L.) Gaertn. is a synonym of Z. mauritiana, whereas Z. jujuba Mill. is the other common, cultivated species in the genus. Due to this confusion, some of the common names listed in the table actually refer to Z. jujuba Mill., or to both species, but are included nonetheless. For further information on common names in different languages in India and West Africa, see Azam-Ali et al. (2006).
Description
Top of pageZ. mauritiana is a small to medium-sized, single or multi-stemmed, spiny shrub or tree, which is almost evergreen, but is deciduous during the dry season. It has a round, spreading crown. It can reach up to 12 m tall and 30 cm diameter at breast height, but is highly variable in size and general appearance. Old protected trees of this species occasionally reach 24 m tall and 1.8 m diameter (von Carlowitz, 1991; Hocking, 1993). The bole is generally short, reaching 3 m in length at most. The bark is dark grey, dull black or reddish with long vertical fissures, reddish and fibrous inside (von Carlowitz, 1991). The branches are spreading and droop at the ends. The twigs are usually softly tomentose when young (Parker, 1956; Gupta, 1993). Z. mauritiana has a deep and lateral root system. Stipules are mostly spines, in pairs with one hooked and one straight, or both hooked, or rarely with neither as a spine. The leaves are simple, shining green above and whitish tomentose beneath, due to persistent dense hairs (occasionally glabrous), margins minutely serrulate, leaf shape ranging from almost round to an elongated ellipse, commonly sub-orbicular to ovate-oblong, rounded at both ends, highly variable in shape and size but always with three basal nerves and two stipular spines, one long and straight, the other small and curved back, and often brown in colour. Spineless types are not uncommon in this species (Singh, 1989). The leaves are solitary or in pairs, from 2 to 6 cm in length (occasionally 1.3-12.0 cm) and 1.5-5.9 cm at the widest point (occasionally 0.4-6.5 cm wide). Size variation is related to site quality and position on the tree, the leaves on vigorous new shoots being the largest (Parker, 1956; Hocking, 1993). Flowers are minute, greenish-white or yellow, hermaphrodite, in sessile or shortly peduncled axillary cymes, and are insect pollinated (Patel et al., 1988; Devi et al., 1989) with an acrid smell (Azam-Ali et al., 2006). The fruit is initially green and turns yellow, orange and red on ripening; being a drupe containing sour-sweet pulp and a hard stone. It varies in size from 1.2 to 3.7 cm long, and is generally globose or ovoid, and glossy. The fruits on wild plants reach about 2 cm in diameter, and on cultivated varieties can exceed 5 cm long. The stone in the fruit is irregularly furrowed and usually contains two cells and two seeds (Hocking, 1993), which have papery testa.
Distribution
Top of page Z. mauritiana is often considered a native of South and Central Asia and China. Morton (1987) notes an area from Afghanistan to Yunnan, China, which is accepted here, although the exact limits of this range remain in debate, but Morton (1987) also describes it as native to Malaysia and Queensland, Australia, which is rejected here as it is recorded as a recent invader in Australia. Accounts of Z. mauritiana being native to Indian Ocean islands, e.g. the Seychelles (Weber, 2003) and South-East Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, are assumed to be the result of it being introduced to these areas in pre-history, if not later, as has happened with a large number of useful crop plants, and only the restricted native range is accepted in this account. Z. mauritiana is found, either wild or naturalized, throughout the arid and semi-arid tracts of India and Pakistan, where its range extends from the foothills of the Himalayas, ascending to more than 1500 m altitude, to the desert area in the south (Troup, 1921; Singh, 1989; Gupta, 1993; Hocking, 1993). It has been very widely introduced throughout the world, and its current global distribution is likely to be even wider than the list of countries presented here.Distribution Table
Top of pageThe distribution in this summary table is based on all the information available. When several references are cited, they may give conflicting information on the status. Further details may be available for individual references in the Distribution Table Details section which can be selected by going to Generate Report.
Last updated: 10 Jan 2020History of Introduction and Spread
Top of pageZ. mauritiana is cultivated throughout the tropics, but is only considered commercially important in China and India (Lemmens et al., 1995). Dates of introduction are few, but it is likely to have been intentionally introduced as a fruit species to the Middle East, Africa and South-East Asia in pre-history, and to other parts of the world since at least the early 1800s. It was first recorded in the Torres Straits between Papua New Guinea and Australia in 1863, and Townsville, Queensland, Australia in 1916 (Land Protection, 2006). It was introduced to Guam in 1850 and to Israel in 1939 (Morton, 1987). It has naturalized in a large number of tropical and subtropical countries and is widely distributed through tropical and subtropical, and arid and semi-arid regions of the world (Qaiser and Nazimuddin, 1981; von Carlowitz, 1991; Hocking, 1993). According to World Agroforestry Centre (2002), Z. mauritiana is a naturalized, introduced species in Myanmar, Barbados, Jamaica, Guadeloupe, Iran, Martinique, Sri Lanka, Syria and some areas in the Mediterranean, though this list is clearly not exhaustive. Z. mauritiana is invasive in Australia, where it is a serious weed (Holm et al., 1979; ISSG, 2003) with noxious weed status in Western Australia, Queensland and Northern Territory (NWSEC, 1998). It is also invasive in Zimbabwe and Zambia (Nyoka, 2002) and on a number of Pacific and Indian Ocean islands (PIER, 2007). In Puerto Rico, Francis and Liogier (1991) estimated that more than 1000 Z. mauritiana plants were established on coastal plains and offshore islands but noted that they occurred infrequently or were restricted to a particular habitat and that the rate of spread was slow. Morton (1987) noted that Z. mauritiana was eradicated from Israel because fruit production was poor and the trees so infested with fruit flies that they were destroyed to protect other, more valuable, tree crops.
Introductions
Top of page| Introduced to | Introduced from | Year | Reason | Introduced by | Established in wild through | References | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural reproduction | Continuous restocking | |||||||
| Guam | 1850 | Horticulture (pathway cause) | Morton (1987) | |||||
| Queensland | 1873 | Land Protection (2006) | ||||||
Risk of Introduction
Top of pageZ. mauritiana is cultivated throughout the tropics and has been intentionally introduced to many countries outside its natural range. It is already found in many countries with a similar climate and environment to areas in which it has become invasive and its behaviour should be monitored in order to detect and report early signs of invasion. It continues to be promoted as an ‘underutilised species’, with almost no mention of its potential invasiveness in a recent monograph by Azam-Ali et al. (2006), thus further ill-conceived introductions may still occur. Further invasions are therefore likely, possibly of ‘improved’ varieties. Z. mauritiana has regulated noxious weed status in Western Australia, Queensland (Class 2) and Northern Territory, Australia (NWSEC, 1998). It has also failed weed risk assessments for Australia and the Pacific (PIER, 2007) so further introductions, at least in this region, are unlikely.
Habitat
Top of pageZ. mauritiana is now found throughout the arid and semi-arid tracts of much of Asia and Africa, also the Americas and Australasia. However, it is only recorded as invasive in the three northern states of Australia, Pacific and Indian Ocean islands (mainly Fiji and Reunion), and in southern Africa (Zambia and Zimbabwe). Invaded habitats include tropical and subtropical woodland, savannah, coastal plains, pasture land, roadsides, riparian habitats and former farmland. The trees grow well in abandoned agricultural fields and on marginal lands (Singh, 1989; Hocking, 1993). In the Caribbean, Morton (1987) records that “In Barbados, Jamaica and Puerto Rico the tree is naturalized and forms thickets in uncultivated areas”. It is worth noting that Z. mauritiana is a tropical and subtropical species, whereas the closely related and morphologically similar Z. jujuba prefers more temperate climates (Kaaria, 1998).
Habitat List
Top of page| Category | Sub-Category | Habitat | Presence | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terrestrial | ||||
| Terrestrial – Managed | Cultivated / agricultural land | Present, no further details | Productive/non-natural | |
| Managed forests, plantations and orchards | Principal habitat | Productive/non-natural | ||
| Managed grasslands (grazing systems) | Secondary/tolerated habitat | Harmful (pest or invasive) | ||
| Disturbed areas | Secondary/tolerated habitat | Harmful (pest or invasive) | ||
| Terrestrial ‑ Natural / Semi-natural | Natural forests | Secondary/tolerated habitat | Harmful (pest or invasive) | |
| Natural grasslands | Secondary/tolerated habitat | Harmful (pest or invasive) | ||
| Riverbanks | Secondary/tolerated habitat | Harmful (pest or invasive) | ||
| Scrub / shrublands | Secondary/tolerated habitat | Productive/non-natural | ||
| Deserts | Secondary/tolerated habitat | Productive/non-natural | ||
| Arid regions | Principal habitat | Natural | ||
| Littoral | ||||
| Coastal areas | Secondary/tolerated habitat | Harmful (pest or invasive) |
Hosts/Species Affected
Top of pageZ. mauritiana is not generally a weed of agricultural land, as it is removed during cultivation; however, it is an invasive species in some rangeland and pastures, reducing the presence of other forage species. It is occasionally a weed of natural forests, as in Australia, where Z. mauritiana has been recorded invading eucalyptus woodland (Weber, 2003) and abandoned or fallow land (Morton, 1987).
Biology and Ecology
Top of pageZ. mauritiana tolerates a wide range of temperature from -5°C to 49°C and requires little rainfall (Hocking, 1993). The absolute maximum shade temperature is 38-49°C and the minimum temperature range is -5°C to 13°C; it does not tolerate frosts well (Kaaria, 1998). The average mean minimum temperature varies from 10 to 23°C, average mean maximum temperature from 31 to 37°C, and average mean temperature from 25 to 29°C (von Carlowitz, 1991). Annual rainfall in its natural habitat varies from 125 to 2225 mm. Z. mauritiana is widespread in areas in India with an annual rainfall of 300-500 mm (Gupta, 1993) and grows well in very dry conditions (World Agroforestry Centre, 2002). There are no particular soil requirements for Z. mauritiana, but deep sandy to loamy soils are considered best for optimum growth. It grows in well-drained sandy loams, shingle alluvium, sand dunes, skeletal and gravelly soils, laterite and black cotton soils (Troup, 1921; Hocking, 1993). It withstands seasonal waterlogging (von Carlowitz, 1991), tolerates moderate levels of alkalinity and salinity, and prefers soils with a pH of around 7.5. Trials in Kashmir indicated that Z. mauritiana grows well on soils with relatively low sodicity, pH <9, exchangeable sodium <35%, electrical conductivity <4 dS/m and the absence of a hard pan throughout the root zone of 20-140 cm depth (Kalyan Singh, 1994). It adapts well to rain-fed agriculture on black cotton soils due to its strong and deep root system (Luna, 1996). Z. mauritiana prefers plains and valleys, but also occurs in undulating ravines and gentle slopes from 0 to 1500 m, sometimes reaching 1800 m altitude (von Carlowitz, 1991; Luna, 1996).
Climate
Top of page| Climate | Status | Description | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| A - Tropical/Megathermal climate | Preferred | Average temp. of coolest month > 18°C, > 1500mm precipitation annually | |
| Am - Tropical monsoon climate | Tolerated | Tropical monsoon climate ( < 60mm precipitation driest month but > (100 - [total annual precipitation(mm}/25])) | |
| As - Tropical savanna climate with dry summer | Preferred | < 60mm precipitation driest month (in summer) and < (100 - [total annual precipitation{mm}/25]) | |
| Aw - Tropical wet and dry savanna climate | Preferred | < 60mm precipitation driest month (in winter) and < (100 - [total annual precipitation{mm}/25]) | |
| B - Dry (arid and semi-arid) | Preferred | < 860mm precipitation annually | |
| BS - Steppe climate | Preferred | > 430mm and < 860mm annual precipitation | |
| BW - Desert climate | Preferred | < 430mm annual precipitation |
Latitude/Altitude Ranges
Top of page| Latitude North (°N) | Latitude South (°S) | Altitude Lower (m) | Altitude Upper (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | 25 | 0 | 0 |
Air Temperature
Top of page| Parameter | Lower limit | Upper limit |
|---|---|---|
| Absolute minimum temperature (ºC) | -5 | |
| Mean annual temperature (ºC) | 25 | 29 |
| Mean maximum temperature of hottest month (ºC) | 31 | 37 |
| Mean minimum temperature of coldest month (ºC) | 10 | 23 |
Rainfall
Top of page| Parameter | Lower limit | Upper limit | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry season duration | 3 | 8 | number of consecutive months with <40 mm rainfall |
| Mean annual rainfall | 125 | 2225 | mm; lower/upper limits |
Soil Tolerances
Top of pageSoil drainage
- free
Soil reaction
- alkaline
- neutral
Soil texture
- light
- medium
Special soil tolerances
- infertile
- saline
Notes on Natural Enemies
Top of pageZ. mauritiana is prone to attack by the parasitic plant Cuscuta reflexa, which should immediately be removed from productive trees if present. Many pests and diseases attack Z. mauritiana trees, insects feed on the sap, and the larvae of many insect species defoliate the trees. Among the fruit borers or fruit flies that cause serious damage are Meridarchis scyrodes and Carpomyia vesuviana (Singh, 1989; Gupta, 1993). In field studies conducted in Madhya Pradesh, India, 13 species of insect pests (including Achaea janata and Thiacidas postica) were recorded causing considerable damage to Z. mauritiana, which resulted in a lowering of the quality and quantity of produce (Vyas, 1996). A comprehensive list of pests and diseases of Z. mauritiana in India was prepared by Pareek (2001, in Azam-Ali et al., 2006), and others are listed in Morton (1987).
Means of Movement and Dispersal
Top of pageZ. mauritiana is cultivated throughout the tropics and therefore has been intentionally introduced to many countries outside its natural range for the production of fruit.
Pathway Causes
Top of page| Cause | Notes | Long Distance | Local | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digestion and excretion | Yes | Land Protection, 2006 | ||
| Food | Yes | Azam-Ali et al., 2006 | ||
| Horticulture | Yes | Azam-Ali et al., 2006 |
Pathway Vectors
Top of page| Vector | Notes | Long Distance | Local | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germplasm | Yes | Azam-Ali et al., 2006 | ||
| Livestock | Yes | Land Protection, 2006 |
Impact Summary
Top of page| Category | Impact |
|---|---|
| Animal/plant collections | None |
| Animal/plant products | None |
| Biodiversity (generally) | Negative |
| Crop production | None |
| Economic/livelihood | Positive and negative |
| Environment (generally) | Positive and negative |
| Fisheries / aquaculture | None |
| Forestry production | None |
| Human health | None |
| Livestock production | Negative |
| Native fauna | None |
| Native flora | Negative |
| Rare/protected species | None |
| Tourism | None |
| Trade/international relations | None |
| Transport/travel | None |
Economic Impact
Top of pageZ. mauritiana has a negative impact on the Australian cattle industry (ISSG, 2003), as dense thickets restrict the movement of cattle and reduce the area of pasture available. Further restriction of cattle movements is sometimes necessary as a strategy to prevent the spread of the plant to uninfested areas, because domestic livestock are one of the principal dispersers of the seed, although no economic costs are provided (ISSG, 2003). Z. mauritiana has a positive economic impact, especially in India, China and Pakistan where it is a valuable commercial fruit tree with marketable produce. The relative economic balance needs to be calculated in other countries where it may be both a crop and a pest. The positive benefits of Z. mauritiana are considered sufficient to merit further planting in India (Tewari et al., 2001).
Environmental Impact
Top of pageZ. mauritiana can form dense thickets, which outcompete native plants and alter species assemblages (Weber, 2003).
Social Impact
Top of pageNo precise information is available on the negative social impacts of Z. mauritiana such as those resulting from the thorns or due to restricted access to areas for recreation. However, the presence of a fruit crop is likely to have positive benefits, especially in dry areas or in years when alternative sources of nutritious foods may be lacking.
Risk and Impact Factors
Top of page Invasiveness- Proved invasive outside its native range
- Has a broad native range
- Abundant in its native range
- Highly adaptable to different environments
- Tolerates, or benefits from, cultivation, browsing pressure, mutilation, fire etc
- Pioneering in disturbed areas
- Tolerant of shade
- Highly mobile locally
- Benefits from human association (i.e. it is a human commensal)
- Long lived
- Fast growing
- Has high reproductive potential
- Has propagules that can remain viable for more than one year
- Reproduces asexually
- Has high genetic variability
- Ecosystem change/ habitat alteration
- Monoculture formation
- Negatively impacts agriculture
- Reduced native biodiversity
- Threat to/ loss of native species
- Competition - monopolizing resources
- Competition - shading
- Pest and disease transmission
- Rapid growth
- Produces spines, thorns or burrs
- Highly likely to be transported internationally deliberately
- Difficult/costly to control
Uses
Top of pageZ. mauritiana timber is usually of small dimensions with light red wood, maturing to reddish-brown. The heartwood is indistinct from the sapwood, reddish, durable, hard, strong, fine-grained and light to moderately heavy; it finishes to a smooth surface and takes good polish (Luna, 1996). The timber is used in rural construction, bed legs, tent pegs, house building, agricultural implements, cart wheels, oil mills, rice pounders, golf clubs, sandals, axe and hoe handles, furniture, boats, veneer, plywood, particleboard, carvings and turnery (von Carlowitz, 1991). Z. mauritiana provides good fuelwood and a good-quality charcoal (Gupta, 1993).
Z. mauritiana leaves contain 13-17% crude protein and 15% fibre, and make an excellent fodder for livestock. In winter, the shoots and fruit of the trees are an important feed source (Hocking, 1993). The leaves are also fed to tussar silkworms, and Z. mauritiana is one of the few trees which serve as a host to lac insects. It handles pruning well and yields a good crop of tender shoots for lac cultivation. The resinous encrustation from these insects is used to produce shellac which is used as a varnish. It also has medicinal properties and is used as a tonic. The root and stem bark contain 7% tannin and leaves 2% tannin, and these are sometimes mixed with other materials for tanning leather (Singh, 1989; Gupta, 1993; Hocking, 1993). The bark and fruit yield a dye. The roots of Z. mauritiana are used in the treatment of fever, wounds and ulcers, and the bark is used as a remedy for diarrhoea (Kundu et al., 1989). The roots, bark, leaves, seeds and fruit are particularly useful in aiding digestion and alleviating sores and other lesions.
Z. mauritiana is planted as a street tree in a number of countries, and large trees cast a welcome shade; however, the fruits can be a nuisance, as can the many birds that they attract.
Uses List
Top of pageAnimal feed, fodder, forage
- Fodder/animal feed
- Forage
- Invertebrate food for lac/wax insects
Environmental
- Agroforestry
- Amenity
- Boundary, barrier or support
- Erosion control or dune stabilization
- Ornamental
Fuels
- Charcoal
- Fuelwood
Human food and beverage
- Emergency (famine) food
- Fruits
- Honey/honey flora
- Seeds
Materials
- Alcohol
- Carved material
- Dye/tanning
- Gum/resin
- Lac
- Silk
- Wood/timber
Medicinal, pharmaceutical
- Source of medicine/pharmaceutical
- Traditional/folklore
Wood Products
Top of pageBoats
Charcoal
Containers
- Pallets
Roundwood
- Building poles
- Roundwood structures
Sawn or hewn building timbers
- Beams
- Carpentry/joinery (exterior/interior)
- For heavy construction
- For light construction
Veneers
Wood-based materials
- Particleboard
Woodware
- Cutlery
- Industrial and domestic woodware
- Sports equipment
- Tool handles
- Turnery
- Wood carvings
Similarities to Other Species/Conditions
Top of pageZ. mauritiana is distinguished from its near relative Ziziphus nummularia by its overall larger size and larger fruits; however, when Z. mauritiana is repeatedly coppiced and reduced to a shrubby form, it is difficult to distinguish between these species (Hocking, 1993). There is also a greater difference between the 'wild' and cultivated varieties of Z. mauritiana than between Z. mauritiana and Z. nummularia. Hybridization may occur between these two species and intermediate forms are produced (Hocking, 1993). There are also risks of confusion with the other commonly cultivated, but more temperate species, Ziziphus jujuba.
Prevention and Control
Top of pageDue to the variable regulations around (de)registration of pesticides, your national list of registered pesticides or relevant authority should be consulted to determine which products are legally allowed for use in your country when considering chemical control. Pesticides should always be used in a lawful manner, consistent with the product's label.
Z. mauritiana trees require a combination of felling and herbicide application to prevent regrowth (Weber, 2003). Herbicides can be applied as a foliar spray or directly to the basal bark area. Several repeat treatments are likely to be necessary (Weber, 2003). Grice (1998) notes that herbicide treatment is one of the few strategies available to control this plant because of its ability to resprout after fire and its capacity to resist most forms of mechanical control. In Australia, tryclopyr is recommended as a basal bark treatment or as a treatment for cut stumps of larger trees, with tryclopyr + picloram applied to the wet foliage of trees that are less than 2 m high. Land Protection (2006) provides a detail list of chemicals that are currently acceptable for use in Queensland, Australia. Treatment methods include basal bark and foliage sprays and soil applied granules.
Gaps in Knowledge/Research Needs
Top of pageMuch work is being conducted on aspects of fruit production, breeding, propagation, etc. in Z. mauritiana; however, the only research on control is thought to occur in Australia, where further work is clearly required, including biocontrol studies.
References
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Bisla SS; Daulta BS, 1988. Variability and heritability of some growth characters in ber (Zizyphus mauritiana Lamk). Indian Journal of Horticulture, 45(1-2):29-33.
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Distribution References
CABI, 2005. Forestry Compendium. In: Forestry Compendium, Wallingford, UK: CABI.
CABI, Undated. Compendium record. Wallingford, UK: CABI
CABI, Undated a. CABI Compendium: Status as determined by CABI editor. Wallingford, UK: CABI
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Links to Websites
Top of page| Website | URL | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| GISD/IASPMR: Invasive Alien Species Pathway Management Resource and DAISIE European Invasive Alien Species Gateway | https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.m93f6 | Data source for updated system data added to species habitat list. |
| World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF WAC) | http://www.worldagroforestry.org/ |
Organizations
Top of pageIndia: Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur 342 003, Rajasthan, http://www.hridir.org/countries/india/PROVCOUN/indian_council_of_agricultural_research/cental_arid_zone_icar/index.htm
India: Central Institute for Arid Horticultue (CIAH), Bikaner 334 006, Rajasthan
India: Harayana Agricultural University, Hisar 124 004, Harayana, http://hau.ernet.in/
Sri Lanka: The International Centre for Underutilized Crops (ICUC-IWMI), Colombo, http://www.icuc-iwmi.org/
Distribution Maps
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