Ziziphus mucronata

Leaves and fruits of Ziziphus mucronata, Magaliesberg, South Africa.

Ziziphus mucronata is a plant belonging to the family of the buckthorn family ( Rhamnaceae ).

Description

In Ziziphus mucronata is a thorny shrub that reaches heights of growth of up to 10 m, with gray-brown bark. The spines are in pairs in the leaf axils, a pointed straight up, a bent back down. The change-constant leaves are stalked and easy. The leaf blade is ovate green on both sides, while sharpened at the base round or heart-shaped asymmetrically and at the top and mucronat. The Blattnervatur is at the base Palmat with three distinct main veins.

10 to 20 flowers are borne in axillary inflorescences. The five petals have a diameter from about 3 to 4 mm. The five sepals and petals are inconspicuous yellow- green. The round stone fruit is reddish brown to maturity.

Dissemination

Ziziphus mucronata is found in savannas, in flow accompanying vegetation or on termite mounds in tropical Africa and Asia.

Use

The wood is used for tools and kitchen utensils, as well as firewood or for charcoal production. Because of its thorns Ziziphus mucronata is often planted as a hedge.