Jujube, Joazeiro
Ziziphus joazeiro

Family: Rhamnaceae

What it is like

A spiny tree. It grows 5-10 m high. The trunk is short and 30-50 cm across. The bark is grey and rough. The crown is round and dense. The stems and branches spread out horizontally. The leaves are thin and simple and rigid. The veins are easy to see on the top of the leaf. The leaves are 5-10 cm long and 3-6 cm wide. The fruit is round and yellow and fleshy with a stone inside. The pulp is thick, sweet and fleshy. It is a non suckering plant and can therefore be used as a rootstock for Jujube. Possible now Sarcomphalus joazeiro (Mart.) Hauenschild.

The fruit are rich in Vitamin C.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in arid areas.

Countries/locations it is found in

Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil (country/location of origin), Central America, Honduras, Paraguay, South America

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten fresh.

It is a cultivated fruit tree. Fruit are enjoyed.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

The plants are grow from seed. The ripe fruit are harvested. The seeds are removed from the fruit, washed in running water then dried in the shade. Seeds only stay viable for about 5 months. Seeds germinate in 70-100 days. The seedlings are transplanted into the field after 8-9 months.

Plants grow slowly. The grow 2 m tall in 2 years.

Its other names

Local names

Joa, Jua, Jua-espinho, Jua-fruta, Juazeiro, Laranjeira-de-vanqueiro

Synonyms

Ziziphus guaranitica Malme;