Ziziphus abyssinica Hochst. ex A. Rich.

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Photo: Bart Wursten
Plateau above Archway Gorge, Mueredze River, Gorongosa National Park, Muanza

Photo: Bart Wursten
Path from Nhago Camp to nearby settlement, Coutada 12

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Species details: Click on each item to see an explanation of that item (Note: opens a new window)

Synonyms:
Common names:	Large jujube (English) N'tsao-tsanga (Sena)
Frequency:
Status:	Native
Description:	Shrub or small tree, armed with distinct opposite pairs of hooked and near-straight spines. Leaves ovate, tomentose beneath, markedly asymmetric at the base, 3-5-veined from the base, the veins impressed above; margin finely toothed. Flowers in dense axillary clusters, small, yellowish. Fruit a spherical drupe c. 3 cm, shiny red or reddish-brown when ripe, edible.
Type location:	Ethiopia
Notes:	This species is very similar to the common Ziziphus mucronata. It can be distinguished by the Clearly impressed veins, above; the consistently tomentose leaves below; and the larger fruits.
Derivation of specific name:	abyssinica: of Abyssinia (Ethiopia)
Habitat:	In open woodland and along riverbanks.
Altitude range: (metres)	Up to 1000 m
Flowering time:	Dec - Feb
Worldwide distribution:	From Senegal to Ethiopia, southwards to Angola, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
FZ divisions:	N,Z,T,MS
Growth form(s):	Tree.
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:	Tarucus sybaris sybaris (Food plant)
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Images last updated:	Friday 29 April 2016
Literature:	Burrows, J.E., Burrows, S.M., Lötter, M.C. & Schmidt, E. (2018). Trees and Shrubs Mozambique Publishing Print Matters (Pty), Cape Town. Page 550. (Includes a picture). *Coates Palgrave, K. et al.* (1956).** Trees of Central Africa National Publications Trust, Salisbury. Pages 371 - 374. (Includes a picture). Drummond, R.B. (1966). Rhamnaceae Flora Zambesiaca 2(2) Pages 420 - 422. (Includes a picture). Drummond, R.B. (1975). A list of trees, shrubs and woody climbers indigenous or naturalised in Rhodesia. Kirkia 10(1) Page 257. Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 69. Parker, T. (2023). Common Trees of Mozambique The Tree Press, Austin, Texas, USA Pages 320 - 321. (Includes a picture). Strugnell, A.M. (2006). A Checklist of the Spermatophytes of Mount Mulanje, Malawi Scripta Botanica Belgica 34 National Botanic Garden of Belgium Page 158.

Other sources of information about Ziziphus abyssinica:

Our websites:

Flora of Burundi: Ziziphus abyssinica
Flora of Malawi: Ziziphus abyssinica
Flora of Zambia: Ziziphus abyssinica
Flora of Zimbabwe: Ziziphus abyssinica

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Ziziphus abyssinica
African Plant Database: Ziziphus abyssinica
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Ziziphus abyssinica
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Ziziphus abyssinica
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Ziziphus abyssinica
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Ziziphus abyssinica
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Ziziphus abyssinica
JSTOR Plant Science: Ziziphus abyssinica
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Ziziphus abyssinica
Plants of the World Online: Ziziphus abyssinica
Tropicos: Ziziphus abyssinica
Wikipedia: Ziziphus abyssinica