Ziziphus Mill.
Genus composed of some 53 species from the temperate and subtropical regions of the world. In North Africa, it is represented by 3 native species, and a fourth species of uncertain origin, possibly naturalised (Z. mauritiana).
There is a further species that is an alien species, cultivated here and there in the different countries of North Africa: Z. jujuba (L.) Mill. Tree, spiny or unarmed, (2)4-8(10) m in height; leaves with leaf blade (27)30-52(65) × (11)13-24(32) mm, and petiole 2-5(7) mm; fruit drupaceous up to 25 mm long, ellipsoid to ovoid, fleshy. It is cultivated at least in Morocco, Algeria and Libya.
Henning, T. & Raab-Straube, E. von 2016: Rhamnaceae in Euro+Med Plantbase – the information resource for Euro-Mediterranean plant diversity [Fecha consulta: 19/5/2017].
Ruiz de la Torre, J. 2006. Flora Mayor. Ministerio de Medio Ambiente. Organismo Autónomo Parques Nacionales. Dirección General para la Biodiversidad. Madrid.
Key to species
1 Mature leaves pilose to velvety on both sides Ziziphus nummularia
1 Mature leaves glabrous on the upper side 2
2 Tree with well defined trunk, up to 6 m in height Ziziphus spina-christi
2 Shrub or small tree up to 3-4 m in height 3
3 Leaves 1-2.5 cm long Ziziphus lotus
3 Leaves 2.5-6 cm long 4
4 Usually spiny. Leaves densely tomentose on the underside Ziziphus mauritiana
4 Usually unarmed. Leaves sericeous on the underside Ziziphus jujuba
Updated by: M. Cueto & E. Giménez.