Zizyphus

views updated

Zizyphus (family Rhamnaceae) A genus of small trees in which the stipules are often modified as thorns. The leaves have 3 main nerves. The flowers are pentamerous. The fruit is a drupe, edible in many species. (Jujube is Z.jujuba, occurring from India to southern China; Z. lotus is believed to be the lotus fruit of ancient times.) There are 86 species, occurring in the tropics and subtropics.