Wine Jujuba, Small-fruited jujube, Jackal jujube
Ziziphus oenopolia

Family: Rhamnaceae

What it is like

A thorny shrub. It grows about 5 m high. It has straggling branches. The leaves are short stalked. The leaves are 2.3-5.5 cm long by 1.3-3 cm wide. They are oval to sword shaped. They taper to a tip. There are teeth around the edge. Leaves are unequal at the base. The flowers are yellowish. The fruit is fleshy with a hard covering over the seed. It is oval and yellow when fully ripe. There is a thin layer of acidic flesh around the seed.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In Nepal plants grow to 1600 m altitude. They grow on the edge of the subtropical forest. In Yunnan in China it grows between 600-900 m above sea level. It occurs in the Western Ghats in India.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten raw. They are also dried and stored.

Fruit are especially eaten by children.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Akar kuku tupai, Anbulam, Arem pokuri, Aule bayar, Bahukantaka, Bak lep meuw, Banka, Ban kul, Barige, Barokoli, Bir janum, Boksi bayar, Bombori, Bon boroi, Bon kul, Boydi, Burgi, Challe, Chan-bor, Cheruthodali, Chiyakul, Chruthodali, Churai, Churi, Emardi, Eramdi, Hin eraminiya, Hurasurah, Ironi, Jackal jujube, Jangalkul, Jhurkal, Jujube buah kecil, Julie, Kanerballi, Kantakoli, Kanteikoli, Karisurimullu, Karkhandu, Kat-bor, Kontakoli, Kottaipazham, Kottavalli, Kuku lang, Kurirama janum, Leb yiew, Lep yio, Maak lep meuw, Mahkua, Mainam-nu, Makai, Mak-hkaw-hku, Makor, Meximela, Mokaiya, Njilamyin, Novelo, Paragi, Paraki, Parimi, Paringi, Paungbet, Pulichi, Sekul, Siakul, Sial kul, Soori, Sotta, Srigalakoli, Supauk-pin, Suraimullu, Suraiyilandai, Suri, Tao rung, Taw-zi-nwe, Thodalli, Tudali, Tutalimullu, Vor sangkher, Yaroni, Yeroni, Yeruni

Synonyms

Rhamnus oenoplia L.; Ziziphus albens Roxb.; Ziziphus napeca Willd.;