Jujube lotus, Lotus fruit
Ziziphus lotus

Family: Rhamnaceae

What it is like

A low bush or shrub. It grows 2 m tall. The twigs are grey. The leaves have shallow, blunt teeth. It loses its leaves during the year. The fruit is slightly smaller than a jujube and less sweet. It is round and yellowish-orange to purple.

This is the "lotus fruit" of ancient myths.

Where it is found

It is a Mediterranean plant. It grows in dry habitats. It grows in the Sahel and Sahara in West Africa. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Algeria, Asia, Burkina Faso, Cyprus, Egypt, Europe, Greece, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Mediterranean, Middle East, Morocco, North Africa, Palestine, Portugal, Sahel, Spain, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye, West Africa, Western Sahara

How it is used for food

The fruit are occasionally eaten or made into bread or wine. The fresh and dried fruit are eaten raw.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

It can be grown as a hedge.

Its other names

Local names

Arto, Azoguar, Cedra, Gonnara, N'bag, Sari hunnap, Sder, S'durr, Sedra, Sidir

Synonyms

Rhamnus lotus L.;