There has been considerable confusion over the correct usage of the name Ziziphus jujuba. It has often been misapplied to Ziziphus mauritiana (as Ziziphus jujuba (L.) Gaertn., and Ziziphus jujuba (L.) Lam.) based on the original name for that species (Rhamnus jujuba L.). However, when Rhamnus jujuba was transferred to the genus Ziziphus in 1788, the name Ziziphus jujuba was not available for use because it had already been used by Miller in 1768 to describe the temperate species from China. It has been agreed (Taxon 60: 1212. 2011) that the name Ziziphus jujube Mill., as applied to the temperate species from China, should be conserved and, therefore, the tropical species is properly named Ziziphus mauritiana Lam.

Common Name: Jujube

General Information

Ziziphus jujuba is a usually spiny, deciduous tree, sometimes only a shrub; it can grow up to 10 metres tall[]. The tree spreads by root suckers, often forming dense thickets[].
Jujube was first cultivated as a fruit crop in China before 2,000 BCE[]. It is a major fruit crop in China and is commonly cultivated as a fruit and medicinal crop, especially in arid and semi-arid regions of the temperate and subtropical zones.
This species has a large extent of occurrence and a presumed fairly large area of occupancy, although it has a narrow ecological niche. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].
Where the climate suits it, the plant can escape from cultivation and become an invasive and problematic weed[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - China, Japan.

Habitat

Dry gravelly or stony slopes of hills and mountains[]. Mountains, hills, sunny dry slopes, plains; at elevations up to 1,700 metres[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	10.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Ziziphus jujuba is a very cold tolerant plant with different reports suggesting that it can withstand winter temperatures falling as low as -20 - to -30°c[, ]. Plants, however, do require a hot dry summer in order to fruit well, and also to fully ripen their wood and develop their hardiness - they often fail in mild maritime climates because of the cooler summers and mild wet winters[, ].
Succeeds in a sunny position in most soils so long as they are well-drained[, , ]. Prefers an open loam and a hot dry position[, ]. Succeeds in an alkaline soil[]. Plants are fast growing, even in poor soils[].
The jujube is often cultivated in warm temperate zones for its edible fruit, there are many named varieties[, ].
This species is very variable and several distinct forms are recognized:-
Ziziphus jujube var jujuba. Branches with stipular spines. The fruit is large, 15 - 20mm in diameter with a sweet-tasting flesh. Rich in vitamin C, it is often preserved or candied and is also used medicinally when fresh. It is an important source of nectar for bees[].
Ziziphus jujube var inermis (Bunge) Rehder. The branches are without spines. This form is widely cultivated for its fruit, which is around 15 - 20mm in diameter with a sweet-tasting flesh. Rich in vitamin C, it is often preserved or candied and is also used medicinally when fresh[].
Ziziphus jujube var spinosa (Bunge) Hu ex H.F.Chow. Plants are often only shrubs with very spiny branches that are erect, not tortuous. The fruit is thin, but rich in vitamins, and is eaten fresh or used for making jam. The seeds are used medicinally for relieving muscle spasms, as a tranquilizer, or to treat insomnia. Because of the spiny branches, the tree is often planted to form hedges. The flowers are fragrant and rich in nectar, so this variety is considered an important honey plant in Northern China[].
Ziziphus jujube var tortuosa C.Y.Cheng & M.J.Liu. Small, non-spiny trees with ascending, often tortuous branchlets, long fruiting pedicels, and small fruits around 5mm in diameter that resemble cucurbit fruits[].
The jujube is resistant to most pests and diseases[].
The tree responds well to coppicing[].
Trees form a deep taproot and should be planted into their permanent positions as soon as possible[].
Fast growing and quick to mature, it can fruit in 3 - 4 years from seed[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, , , , ]. Mealy and sweet[]. A sourish-sweet flavour[]. The fruit can be eaten fresh, dried like dates or cooked in puddings, cakes, breads, jellies, soups etc[]. The dried fruit has the nicest taste[, ]. The fruits are often left to become wrinkled and spongy, which increases their sweetness, and are then eaten fresh or cooked[]. The dried fruit can also be ground into a powder. This powder is used in the preparation of 'kochujang', a fermented hot pepper-soybean paste that resembles miso[]. Fruits are about 13mm in diameter[] and contain one or two seeds[]. Average yields from wild trees in the Himalayas are 9.5kg per year[]. The fruit contains about 8.7% sugars, 2.6% protein, 1.4% ash, 1.7% pectin and 1.3% tannin[]. The dark red to almost black, fleshy fruit is roundish to egg shaped, about 12 - 25mm long, though it can be larger in cultivated varieties[, ].
The fruit can be used as a coffee substitute[].

Leaves - cooked. A famine food, they are only used when all else fails[]. A nutritional analysis is available[].

Medicinal

The following uses are probably more accurately applied to the related Ziziphus mauritiana. However, they very likely also apply to this species[].

Jujube is both a delicious fruit and an effective herbal remedy. It aids weight gain, improves muscular strength and increases stamina[]. In Chinese medicine it is prescribed as a tonic to strengthen liver function[].

The dried fruits contain saponins, triterpenoids and alkaloids[]. They are anodyne, anticancer, antidote, expectorant, pectoral, refrigerant, sedative, stomachic, styptic and tonic[, , ]. They are considered to purify the blood and aid digestion[], and are used internally in the treatment of a range of conditions including chronic fatigue, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, pharyngitis, bronchitis, anaemia, irritability and hysteria[, , ]. A mucilage made from the fruit is used to make bronchial pastilles[].

The seed contains a number of medically active compounds including saponins, triterpenes, flavonoids and alkaloids[]. It is hypnotic, narcotic, sedative, stomachic and tonic, and is used internally in the treatment of palpitations, insomnia, nervous exhaustion, night sweats and excessive perspiration[, , , ].

The root is used in the treatment of dyspepsia[]. A decoction of the root has been used in the treatment of fevers[, ].
The root is made into a powder and applied to old wounds and ulcers[].

The leaves are astringent and febrifuge[, ]. They are said to promote the growth of hair[]. They are used to form a plaster in the treatment of strangury[]. When chewed, they completely anaesthetize the taste for 5 - 20 minutes[].

The plant is a folk remedy for anaemia, hypertonia, nephritis and nervous diseases[]. It is widely used in China as a treatment for burns[].

Japanese research has shown that jujube increases immune-system resistance. In one clinical trial in China 12 patients with liver complaints were given jujube, peanuts and brown sugar nightly. In four weeks their liver function had improved[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Plants, particularly the spiny forms, can be grown as a hedge[].

Other Uses

Wood - dense, hard, compact, tough. Used for turnery, agricultural implements etc[, , ]. It makes an excellent fuel[] and a good charcoal[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Stored seed requires 3 months warm then 3 months cold stratification[]. Germination should take place in the first spring, though it might take another 12 months. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant out in early summer.
Root cuttings in a greenhouse in the winter[]. Best results are achieved if a temperature of 5 - 10°c can be maintained[].
Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, late autumn to January in a frame[].
Division of suckers in the dormant season[]. They can be planted out direct into their permanent positions if required.