Plant Identification Learning Module:
Fruits & Nuts

Chinese Jujube (Zizyphus jujuba)

Trees are moderately large and upright, with spiny, gnarled branches and an open form, reaching 40 feet tall. Leaves are alternate, glossy and oval to slightly elongated, from one to two inches long, with three prominent bowed veins. There are sharp spines along the margin at the broad base of the leaf. Flowers are small, white or yellow, fragrant, and borne in the leaf axils. Fruit is small, to 1 inch, green when young, maturing to dark red, then black, with a sweet flavor. Chinese jujubes are grown in north and central Florida.



Foliage and fruit of Chinese jujube
(cc) 2004, Júlio Reis. This photo is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5.

Flowers of Chinese jujube tree
Photo by: Walter Hodge
© Wunderlin, R. P., and B. F. Hansen. 2008. USF Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants.

Jujube fruits
(cc) 2006 Frank C. Müller. This photo is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5.