Ziziphus nummularia (Burm.f.) Wight & Arn.
Vernacular name: Wild jujube, Jharberi (Hindi: झारबेरी)
Species Name: Ziziphus nummularia (Burm.f.) Wight & Arn.
Family: Rhamnaceae
Habit: Thorny spreading shrub/small tree (2-6 m)
Stem: Divaricate flexuous branches, pale purplish, velvety stipular prickles in pairs
Leaf: Alternate, orbicular-ovate (2.5 cm), glossy green above, white-tomentose below, serrate
Flowering: July-September (rainy season)
Flowers: Small pale yellow bisexual cymes; 5-merous, often apetalous; disc-enveloped 2-4 locular ovary
Fruit: Small globose red-black drupes (<1 cm), 2 seeds in hard stone
Usage
- Medicinal: Leaf/root decoction fever, diarrhea, urinary disorders; rich cyclopeptide alkaloids (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory)
- Fodder: Drought-resistant foliage acts as goat/sheep feed; fruits are good famine food.
- Traditional stories: “Desert survivor”; Rajasthan silvopasture; deep taproots access groundwater
- Ecological: Arid scrub/plains (100-1000 mm rain); Thar Desert native; erosion control
