Practical
Plants

Ziziphus jujuba

Jujube

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Ziziphus genus in the family Rhamnaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
10 m
Spread
7 m
Fertility
self fertile
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Fruit - raw or cooked[1][16][24][2][8]. Mealy and sweet[26]. A sourish-sweet flavour[10]. The fruit can be eaten fresh, dried like dates or cooked in puddings, cakes, breads, jellies, soups etc[14]. The dried fruit has the nicest taste[3][5]. The fruits are often left to become wrinkled and spongy, which increases their sweetness, and are then eaten fresh or cooked[19]. 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[14]. Fruits are about 13mm in diameter[15] and contain one or two seeds[19]. Average yields from wild trees in the Himalayas are 9.5kg per year[15]. The fruit contains about 8.7% sugars, 2.6% protein, 1.4% ash, 1.7% pectin and 1.3% tannin[15]. The fruit is about 25mm long, though it can be larger in cultivated varieties[17]. The fruit can be used as a coffee substitute[14]. Leaves - cooked. A famine food, they are only used when all else fails[13]. A nutritional analysis is available[18].

Product or use
Coffee
Plant part
Fruit
Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Jujube is both a delicious fruit and an effective herbal remedy. It aids weight gain, improves muscular strength and increases stamina[21]. In Chinese medicine it is prescribed as a tonic to strengthen liver function[21]. 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[21]. Antidote, diuretic, emollient, expectorant[3][28][10][12][15]. The dried fruits contain saponins, triterpenoids and alkaloids[23]. They are anodyne, anticancer, pectoral, refrigerant, sedative, stomachic, styptic and tonic[25][11][18]. They are considered to purify the blood and aid digestion[20]. They are used internally in the treatment of a range of conditions including chronic fatigue, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, pharyngitis, bronchitis, anaemia, irritability and hysteria[11][19][23]. The seed contains a number of medically active compounds including saponins, triterpenes, flavonoids and alkaloids[23]. It is hypnotic, narcotic, sedative, stomachic and tonic[7][11][18]. It is used internally in the treatment of palpitations, insomnia, nervous exhaustion, night sweats and excessive perspiration[11][19]. The root is used in the treatment of dyspepsia[18]. A decoction of the root has been used in the treatment of fevers[25][20]. The root is made into a powder and applied to old wounds and ulcers[20]. The leaves are astringent and febrifuge[25][18]. They are said to promote the growth of hair[18]. They are used to form a plaster in the treatment of strangury[20]. The plant is a folk remedy for anaemia, hypertonia, nephritis and nervous diseases[18]. The plant is widely used in China as a treatment for burns[18].

Product or use
Anodyne
Product or use
Antidote
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Cancer
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Emollient
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Hypnotic
Product or use
Narcotic
Product or use
Pectoral
Product or use
Poultice
Product or use
Refrigerant
Product or use
Sedative
Product or use
Skin
Product or use
Stomachic
Product or use
Tonic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Plants can be grown as a hedge[12]. Wood - dense, hard, compact, tough. Used for turnery, agricultural implements etc[29][6][8]. It makes an excellent fuel[6] and a good charcoal[8].

Product or use
Charcoal
Product or use
Fuel
Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Secondary canopy

Hedge

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China, Japan.
Habitat
Dry gravelly or stony slopes of hills and mountains[29].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Stored seed requires 3 months warm then 3 months cold stratification[4]. 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[17]. Best results are achieved if a temperature of 5 - 10°c can be maintained[19]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, November to January in a frame[19]. Division of suckers in the dormant season[10]. They can be planted out direct into their permanent positions if required.

Cultivation

It is growing well on my allotment in Hampshire, stony soil over chalk, and the bit of ground it is on didn't get any organic matter for several years and is fairly dry in summer but I suppose it hasn't dried out this year due to high rainfall. It is in full sun and is flowering it's heart out now; quite a pretty ground cover. ( Mid May )

There are no interactions listed for Ziziphus jujuba. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

There are no polycultures listed which include Ziziphus jujuba.

None listed.

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy

Binomial name

Ziziphus jujuba

Genus

Ziziphus

Family

Rhamnaceae

Imported References

Edible uses

[30][43][50][31][36][52][37][41][32][33][46][42][44][40][45]

Medicinal uses

[48][32][54][37][39][42][49][51][38][45][47][46][35]

Material uses & Functions

[39][55][34][36]

Botanic

[32][53][44]

Propagation

Cultivation

Environment

Uses

Material uses

Functions & Nature

Functions

Hedge

Provides forage for

Provides shelter for

Hardiness Zone

6

Heat Zone

?

Water

moderate

Sun

full sun

Shade

no shade

Soil PH

acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline

Soil Texture

sandy, loamy, clay

Soil Water Retention

well drained

Environmental Tolerances

Ecosystems

Native Climate Zones

Adapted Climate Zones

Native Geographical Range

Native Environment

Ecosystem Niche

Secondary canopy

Root Zone Tendancy

Life

Deciduous or Evergreen

deciduous

Herbaceous or Woody

woody

Life Cycle

perennial

Growth Rate

vigorous

Mature Size

10 x 7 meters

Fertility

self fertile

Pollinators

Insects

Flower Colour

Flower Type

hermaphrodite

{#set:Has binomial name=Ziziphus jujuba

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press 1969-00-00 ISBN 0192176218

    ↩

  3. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  4. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

    ↩

  5. Bianchini. F., Corbetta. F. and Pistoia. M. Fruits of the Earth.

    ↩

  6. Gamble. J. S. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1972-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  7. ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X

    ↩

  8. Gupta. B. L. Forest Flora of Chakrata, Dehra Dun and Saharanpur. Forest Research Institute Press 1945-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  9. Natural Food Institute, Wonder Crops. 1987.

  10. Kariyone. T. Atlas of Medicinal Plants.

    ↩1↩2↩3

  11. Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  12. Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre

    ↩1↩2

  13. Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre 1977-00-00

    ↩

  14. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  15. Parmar. C. and Kaushal. M.K. Wild Fruits of the Sub-Himalayan Region. Kalyani Publishers. New Delhi. 1982-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  16. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩

  17. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  18. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

  19. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  20. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  21. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2↩3

  22. Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas Botanical Research Institute, Texas. 1999-00-00 http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm

  23. Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea World Health Organisation, Manila 1998-00-00 ISBN 92 9061 120 0

    ↩1↩2↩3

  24. Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-7153-5531-7

    ↩

  25. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  26. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  27. ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00

  28. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

  29. Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  30. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)

    ↩

  31. Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press ISBN 0192176218 (1969-00-00)

    ↩

  32. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)

    ↩1↩2↩3

  33. Bianchini. F., Corbetta. F. and Pistoia. M. Fruits of the Earth. ()

    ↩

  34. Gamble. J. S. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh (1972-00-00)

    ↩

  35. ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X ()

    ↩

  36. Gupta. B. L. Forest Flora of Chakrata, Dehra Dun and Saharanpur. Forest Research Institute Press (1945-00-00)

    ↩1↩2

  37. Kariyone. T. Atlas of Medicinal Plants. ()

    ↩1↩2

  38. Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles (1985-00-00)

    ↩

  39. Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre ()

    ↩1↩2

  40. Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre (1977-00-00)

    ↩

  41. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)

    ↩

  42. Parmar. C. and Kaushal. M.K. Wild Fruits of the Sub-Himalayan Region. Kalyani Publishers. New Delhi. (1982-00-00)

    ↩1↩2

  43. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)

    ↩

  44. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)

    ↩1↩2

  45. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)

    ↩1↩2

  46. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)

    ↩1↩2

  47. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. (1986-00-00)

    ↩

  48. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)

    ↩

  49. Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea World Health Organisation, Manila ISBN 92 9061 120 0 (1998-00-00)

    ↩

  50. Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles ISBN 0-7153-5531-7 (1972-00-00)

    ↩

  51. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)

    ↩

  52. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)

    ↩

  53. ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press (1964-00-00)

    ↩

  54. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)

    ↩

  55. Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation (1968-00-00)

    ↩

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