Ziziphus jujuba is belong to Rhamnaceae family. Jujube a deciduous fruit tree or large shrub, that is relatively easy to grow in warm climates.

Ziziphus jujuba is probably native from Middle East to China. It has been used in China more than tousands of years. Mature trees are hardy to -20°C, but young trees, need to be protected.

Jujube is an interesting tree with spiny, gnarled branches and an open, irregular form. Ziziphus jujuba can reach up to 8-10 metres in height with a spread of 5-8 meters. It can be trained to a single trunk. Most unpruned plants grow with several trunks. The mottled gray-black bark is rough and shaggy. The ovate, shiny, green, alternate leaves are 2-6 cm long, have paler underside. Autumn color is often a showy yellow. There are sharp spines at the base of each leaf. In spring, small clusters of yellow or white, fragrant blossoms appear, hidden in foliage between the leaf and stems. The green oval, round fruits is 2-4 cm long. The smooth-green fruit darkens as it matures, first to red then purplish-black and wrinkled. At the end it become a sweet, dried, wrinkled fruit, hence the common name Chinese date. Sweet fruits are eaten either fresh, candied, or dried like dates. Young, two-year-old trees are able to produce fruits.

 Jujube tolerates all kind of soils and also is very tolerant to drought. It should be grown in full sun or partial shade. Ziziphus jujuba seem to have very few insect problems. It should be fertilized two to three times a year with a complete fertilizer for good growth and fruitings. Often trees will bloom again during the late summer or early autumn and have a second crop during autumn as well.

Jujube trees can be propagated by seeds, or dividing offsets. However, seedlings take several years to start fruit production. Grafted plants are less thorny than seedlings.

Ziziphus jujuba is grown all parts of temparete climates. Jujube is the most common fruit tree in China. In India, the tree is held sacred and included in many religious ceremonies. The fruits are offered to Siva.

Use in Landscapes: Ziziphus jujuba is not an accent tree and not used as a landscape tree. But it can be used to create a high hedge or as fruit tree, in fruit gardens.

Jujube have flavor somewhat resembling that of a green apple. Older fruits which have been allowed to sit for a few days before being eaten, often will have a flavor almost like a date. The pulp is eaten cooked with sugar and the kernel is eaten raw. In India the wild fruit is mostly used for making sherbert. Young leaves are cooked and eaten in Indonesia. In Venezuela, a jujube liqueur is made. In China, jujubes are eaten fresh, dried, smoked, pickled, candied. It can be frozen for long periods without any deterioration of quality.

The Jujube is an important tree in the dry regions as it grows readily and quickly on poor ground, furnishes good timber, excellent fuel, material for fencing in its branches, fodder for camels and goats and fruit for man. Different parts of the plant have various medicinal use. The fruits are applied on cuts and ulcers. The dried ripe fruit is a mild laxative. The seeds are sedative: nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pains in pregnancy. Mixed with oil, they are rubbed on rheumatic areas. The leaves are applied as poultices and are helpful in liver troubles, asthma and fever. The bitter, astringent bark decoction is taken to halt diarrhea and dysentery. The bark paste is applied on sores. The root is purgative.