JujubePosted 10 years ago under Uncategorized

Jujubes are a delicious fruit with a number of health benefits. They have more vitamin C than most citrus fruit and the antioxidants may help with cancerous cells in the body. They also help prevent gallstones and help the body repair it’s cells. (1)

Taxonomy

Jujube grows on the Ziziohus jujuba tree.

Kingdom (Plantae) –> Angiosperms –> Eudicots –> Rosids –> Order (Rosales) –> Family (Rhamnaceae) –> Genus (Ziziphus) –> Species (Ziziphus jujuba)

Description

Jujube grow on deciduous trees that can reach heights of up to 40 feet. The leaves are a shiny, bright green and up to two inches in length. The flowers are less than half an inch in diameter and white to greenish-yellow in color. The fruits are drupes and can range in size from a cherry to a plum depending on the cultivar. When fully ripe, the jujube is bright red in color. (2)

Distribution

The jujube tree originated in China but has spread throughout the world. It is grown in Russia, the Middle East, southern Europe, and the southwestern America. They tolerate a variety of temperature ranges and soil types, but prefer sandy soil. (3)

Nutritional Information

Jujube are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They are an excellent source of vitamin C, B vitamins, and 18 important amino acids. (4)

Commercial Cultivation

Jujube are grown commercially around the world. Planting is usually done through grafting. Harvest is usually from late summer to early fall after a long growing season. (5) Jujube can self-pollinate or cross-pollinate though the seeds from self-pollination are not usually viable. (6)

Diseases, Pests, Predators

Jujube are not susceptible to many diseases or pests. Cotton rot can be an issue. (7) Pocket gophers do like the roots of the plants. (8)

Sources

(1) http://www.chineseherbshealing.com/jujube-fruit-da-zao/
(2) http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/jujube.html
(3) http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/jujube.html
(4) http://www.health-galaxy.com/Jujube-nutrition.html
(5) http://www.garden.org/subchannels/edibles/nut?q=show&id=86
(6) http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/jujube.html
(7) http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/fruit-nut/fact-sheets/jujube/
(8) http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/jujube.html