Ziziphus rugosa

Family: Rhamnaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows to about 5 m high. It can be a straggler and loses it leaves during the year. The bark is dark grey. It is deeply cracked into thick rectangular scales. The leaves have stalks. They are 5.5-13 cm long by 3-11 cm wide. They are almost round or oval with teeth. They are dark green above. They are thick grey or rusty colour and like felt underneath. They are obliquely rounded at the base. The flowers are yellowish. The occur in long panicles at the ends of branches or in the axils or leaves. The fruit is fleshy with a hard covering over the seed. The fruit is round or pear shaped. It is 5-8 mm across and white when ripe.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In Nepal plants grow to 1200 m altitude. It grows on the Deccan in India. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sikkim, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The mealy pulp of the ripe fruit is eaten raw. They are also used for curries.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed or root suckers.

In southern India plants fruit is April to May.

Its other names

Local names

Anneri, Bata bakuri, Bayer, Bili soori hannu, Bon bogori, Bonbokuri, Bon-boroi, Churan, Churna, Dawanra, Dhaura, Dumakpul, Dung-soh-lang-khrithad, Elachi, Gamarai, Ghatbor, Jangli boroi, Kattilandai, Kattilanthai, Kottai, Kottaipazham, Kottamaram, Mak-kok, Myauk-zi, Malantutali, Ora bukuri, Pinduparighamu, Poran, Rug boroi, Sammankaw, Sekra, Simu koli, Taw-zi, Thodali, Tinkoli, Todali, Toran, Yumrang bogori, Zi-ganauk, Zi-talaing

Synonyms

Ziziphus glabra Roxb.; Ziziphus latifolia Roxb.; Ziziphus xylopyrus (Retz.) Willd.;