| BRIEF DESCRIPTION: A spiny deciduous or almost evergreen shrub or small tree reaching a height of 3-15 m, with a trunk diameter up to 40 cm or more. It has a spreading crown, drooping branches and reddish fruits. USES: It is mainly cultivated for its edible fruits. The fruit can be eaten fresh, dried like dates, or pickled. It can be made into flour meal, butter, cheeselike paste, and alcoholic as well as non-alcoholic beverage. The wood is use for constuction of rural houses, posts, tool handles, farm implements, saddletrees, sandals, turnery, and firewood and charcoal. The tree is planted as living fence, it is browsed by livestock and is mentioned as a possible agroforestry species. Bark contain tannin. Bark and leaves have medicinal properties. Leaves are fed to tasar silkworms and the tree hosts lac insects for shellac production. GROWING PERIOD: Perennial. Begins to bear after 6-8 years and increase yields to 15-20 years of age. COMMON NAMES: Indian jujube, Indian plum, Indian cherry, Chinese date, Chinese jujube, Dattero cinese, Datte chinoise, Azufaifa, Giuggiolo, Unabi, Jujube, Jujubier, Beri, Inu-natsume, Ber tree, Ber, De ber. FURTHER INF: Scientific synonyms: Z. mauratianus, Z. jujuba. Rhamnus jujuba. Indian jujube is indigenous to South Asia. It is normally found at elevations from sea level to 600 m, but can be found up to 1800 m. The tree is salt sensitive, but shoots of the plant can be grafted on the roots of Z. nummularia to allow fruit production on saline land. It is drought hardy and does not tolerate high air humidity. Fruit yields may range from 80-130 kg/tree per year. |
