Ziziphus mauritiana

Common Name: Indian jujube

Family: Rhamnaceae

Common Synonyms: none

USDA Hardiness Zone: NA

Growth Habit: Tree

Origin: Southern Asia, Eastern Africa

FISC Category: -

FDACS Listed Noxious Weed: NA

Introduction Date: Earliest Florida specimen vouchered in 1973

IFAS Assessment:

• North: Not Assessed
• Central: Not Assessed
• South: Not Assessed

Description

This deciduous small tree or large shrub is densely branched with zigzag branches. Branches typically have a leaf and a thorn at each angle. Leaves are ovoid, glossy green above and nearly white underneath. Over time, the leaves typically become infested with a fungus, causing the leaves to have a yellow-mottled appearance above and turn black below. Flowers are small and inconspicuous, greenish-white, and emit an unpleasant odor. The fruits are edible, and are similar in shape and size to the native hog plum (Ximenia americana). The fruits are initially green, but have a yellow to pale orange color when ripe. Seeds are enclosed within a woody endocarp.

Habitat

NA

Comments

Species is a prolific seed producer, individuals over 3m tall can produce over 5,000 fruits (Grice 1998). Seeds are dispersed by feral swine and birds in Australia, which is the likely means of dispersal in Florida. Currently known from Miami-Dade, Lee, Collier and Glades counties.

Control Methods

• Manual: NA
• Chemical: Basal bark and cut-stump (1% fluroxypyr in oil OR 5% triclopyr-ester in oil) have been effective in Australia. Foliar (3% triclopyr ester OR glyphosate) at the same concentration have also been effective. [IFAS, http://rcrec-ona.ifas.ufl.edu/in-focus/IF5-29-08.shtml]
• Biological: NA

Control Notes

NA

References

IFAS Publication SSAGR307. Biology and Control of Indian Jujube (Ziziphus mauritiana): A Weed to Watch in Florida Pastures and Natural Areas. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/AG/AG31300.pdf

Global Invasive Species Database. Ziziphus mauritiana: http://www.iucngisd.org/gisd/species.php?sc=214

Grice, A. C. 1998. Ecology in the management of Indian jujube (Ziziphus mauritiana). Weed Science 46:467-474.

Pacific Island Ecosystemes at Risk (PIER). http://www.hear.org/pier/species/ziziphus_mauritiana.htm