Ziziphus nummularia

(Burm.f.) Wight & Arn.

Rhamnaceae Edible: Fruit Potential hazards — see below 1,115 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Ziziphus nummularia, commonly known as wild jujube or jharberi in Hindi, is a species of Ziziphus native to the Thar Desert of western India and southeastern Pakistan, south Iran, Afghanistan, Lebanon and Zimbabwe. Ziziphus nummularia is a shrub up to 6 metres (20 ft) or higher, branching to form a thicket. The leaves are rounded like those of Ziziphus jujuba but differ from those in having a pubescence on the adaxial surface. The plant is commonly found in arid areas, hills, plains, and agricultural fields.

Description

A shrub. It has many branches. The branches are flexible and have a velvety covering. They have grey spines in unequal pairs. The leaves are 1-2 cm long by 1-2 cm wide. They are rounded and hairy above and velvety underneath. The flowers are 3-4 mm across. The fruit is rounded and fleshy. It is 5-10 mm long and dark reddish-brown when ripe. It has 2 cells and 2 seeds. The fruit are round and reddish-brown.

Edible Uses

The small, fleshy, dark reddish-brown fruits (5-10 mm) are eaten fresh, especially by children, and are sold in local markets.

Known Hazards

Ziziphus nummularia has been used for erosion control, reducing wind damage, and allowing deposited material to stabilise, forming a microhabitat that enables other plants such as grasses to grow. The shrub sends up many suckers from the root system and can be planted to form a windbreak, sometimes in association with Crotalaria burhia. The timber is used in building construction and to make farm implements, and it also makes good fuel and charcoal. The leaves can provide forage for livestock; in India they are picked, dried, and stored, producing about 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) dried foliage per hectare. The fruits are edible, sweet, and acidic. They can be eaten raw, pickled, dried, or used to make confectionery. Rats and gerbils are also attracted to the fruit, which can therefore be used in poison baits to attract the rodents.

Distribution

A Mediterranean to tropical plant. It grows on sandy plains and sand dunes. It grow in semi-arid areas. In the Himalayas in India it grows up to 1,200 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Afghanistan, Africa, Asia, Bahrain, Central Asia, East Africa, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Laos, Lebanon, Mauritania, Mediterranean, Middle East, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Tajikistan, Thailand, Uganda, Zimbabwe,

Other Information

Fruit are sold in markets. The ripe fruit are eaten especially by children.

Synonyms

Ziziphus rotundifolia Lam.Rhamnus nummularia Burm.f.

Also Known As

Adbaubordi, Anane, Bada bera, Badber, Baire, Bal, Bayar, Bhukamtaka, Birar, Bor, Bordi, Borti, Chani, Chanibor, Chanyabor, Chotti ber, Gangar, Karkanra, Jahri ber, Jangali bayar, Jangalikoli, Janglar, Jangra, Jangli bairi, Jhadiaber, Jhahrberi, Jhangugli ber, Jhar beri, Jhar-beru, Junglaber, Karkanr, Karkana, Karkunda, Kathy beer, Khetraubordi, Koker ber, Kokni-ber, Korgodi, Malaber, Mallah, Neelareegu, Pala, Palia, Rubbayd, Sukhshamaphala

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