Accession Count: 1
Common Name:
buffalo thorn jujube
Family Name:
Rhamnaceae
Botanical Name:
Ziziphus mucronata
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
Compound:
Ziz muc
Geographic Origin:
Sub-Saharan Africa
Ecozone Origin:
Afrotropic
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
This tree is iconic in Africa and is very important to many tribes in Africa. It is also found in parts of Arabia. Ziziphus mucronata is distributed throughout the summer rainfall regions of the sub-Saharan Africa, from South Africa all the way to Arabia. (2)
Cultivation Notes:
Buffalo Thorn grows in areas predominately with other thorny vegetation in both tropical and temperate climates. It is also found in other habitats including: woodlands, open scrubland, rocky hills and grasslands. This tree can grow in a variety of soils but is usually found along streams, in valley bottoms and along forest margins. (2)
Ethnobotany:
Ziziphus mucronata is a highly respected medicinal tree to which many beliefs and superstitions are attached. Roots, leaves and bark in various ways are used for painkillers, dysentery, respiratory ailments, swollen glands, wounds and sores. The berries are edible and were used by settlers in making porridge. (3) Roasted and ground seeds were used by the Boers during the South African War as a substitute to coffee. (4) The buffalo thorn is used in connection with burial rites and in other parts of Africa a branch is dragged round the village to protect it from evil spirits. (3)
Height:
16 - 20 feet
Width:
11 - 15 feet
Growth Rate:
Slow Growing
Grow Season:
ForeSummer
Flower Season:
Spring
Color:
Green
Function:
Shade
Spread:
Non-spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Hardy
Water Use:
Low water Use
