Rhamnaceae

Ziziphus mauritiana

Common Names: Chinee apple

Plant Form: Thorny densely-branched shrub or small tree. Size: Up to 10 m tall. Stem: Young stems zig-zagging with single curved thorn at each joint, mature stems woody and fibrous. Leaves: Oval or egg-shaped 2-8 cm long, dark green and glossy above, and whitish or rusty and hairy underneath. Alternately arranged on short stalks. Flowers: Small, inconspicuous greenish white, unpleasant smelling. Fruit and Seeds: Cherry sized 2-5 cm diameter, pale yellow to reddish orange when ripe, look like little apples. Habitat: Floodplains, watercourses, roadsides, disturbed sites, pastures, open woodland. Distinguishing Features: Larger fruit than other Ziziphus species, fruits are fleshy rather than hard shelled in Strychnine tree (Strychnos psilosperma). Impacts: Forms impenetrable thickets, outcompete native savanna trees.