Christ’s-thorn (Ziziphus spina-christi, Fl. Atlant. 1: 201 (1798))

Family: Rhamnaceae

Author: (L.) Desf.

Bibliography: Fl. Atlant. 1: 201 (1798)

Year: 1798

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Ziziphus

Vegetable: False

Observations: Mauritania to Pakistan

Description

Christ’s-thorn, scientifically known as Ziziphus spina-christi, is a significant plant species with profound historical and geographical relevance. This species, first detailed in the work “Fl. Atlant. 1: 201” in the year 1798, is attributed to the botanical author (L.) Desf.

Belonging to the Rhamnaceae family, Christ’s-thorn is renowned for its resilient and adaptive nature, thriving across a diverse range of environments from Mauritania in West Africa to Pakistan in South Asia. Its extensive native range reflects its versatility and ecological importance.

The plant holds cultural and medicinal significance in many of the regions where it naturally occurs. Historically, it has been used in traditional medicinal practices for its various health benefits, including anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.

Botanically, Ziziphus spina-christi is characterized by its hardy thorny branches and small, glossy leaves, which provide it with an effective defense against herbivores and harsh environmental conditions. The plant can flourish in arid climates and poor soil conditions, making it an important species for combating desertification and soil erosion in its native habitats.

Overall, Christ’s-thorn is not only a subject of botanical interest but also a valuable resource for the ecological and cultural landscapes of the regions it inhabits. Its wide distribution from Mauritania to Pakistan highlights its adaptability and enduring importance in various environmental contexts.

Common Names

Eng: christ’s-thorn, syrian christ-thorn, christ’s thorn,
Swe: nabka
En: Christ’s-thorn, Syrian Christ-thorn, Christ’s thorn, Nabk tree, Christ’s Thorn Jujube, Christ’s Thorn,, Kurna, Nabbag, Sidr
Ar: Kurna, Nabbag, Sidr, سدير, نبق (نَبْق، نَبَق)، سدر (سِدْر)، جبات (جَبات), Cornua, Ennab, Sédr, Zegregh
Fr: Jujubier de la hyene
He: שיזף מצוי
Es: Yuyuba
Sv: Nabka

Synonyms

• Ziziphus napeca (Lam.)
• Girtanneria spina-christi ((L.) Neck.)
• Rhamnus spina-christi (L.)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Burkina (native)
• Cameroon (native)
• Central African Repu (native)
• Chad (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• Djibouti (native)
• Egypt (native)
• Eritrea (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• Ghana (native)
• Guinea (native)
• Gulf States (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Kenya (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Mali (native)
• Mauritania (native)
• Niger (native)
• Nigeria (native)
• Oman (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Saudi Arabia (native)
• Senegal (native)
• Sinai (native)
• Socotra (native)
• Somalia (native)
• Sudan (native)
• Tanzania (native)
• Uganda (native)
• Yemen (native)
• Algeria (introduced)
• Aruba (introduced)
• Comoros (introduced)
• KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
• Libya (introduced)
• Netherlands Antilles (introduced)
• Tunisia (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Jul 4, 2020 by Christophorus a Castalia (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 2, 2019 by shokri (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 9, 2020 by Kumar c (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 7, 2022 by Abdulghaffar Alirezaie (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 7, 2022 by Every thing (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Nov 21, 2021 by Alsanabani Jamal (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 18, 2018 by Tony Viljoen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 11, 2021 by Pankaj kumar Yadav (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 28, 2020 by Emmanuel Kremer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 8, 2022 by Reuven Frank (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Apr 17, 2022 by Rina Jeger (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 17, 2022 by M. Hedayat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 23, 2022 by M. Hedayat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 27, 2022 by prasantahembram (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 7, 2022 by Abdulghaffar Alirezaie (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Nov 7, 2022 by S M (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 19, 2022 by אליהו (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 16, 2022 by Laura Montoya (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 4, 2020 by Christophorus a Castalia (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 4, 2020 by Christophorus a Castalia (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 7, 2021 by John Touma (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 21, 2021 by ousmanou saidou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 4, 2020 by Christophorus a Castalia (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 4, 2020 by Christophorus a Castalia (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 7, 2022 by Abdulghaffar Alirezaie (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Nov 23, 2022 by M. Hedayat (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/8228089)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:719427-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Desf.)

Specifications

Growth