Woody > Ziziphus > Ziziphus mucronata > Ziziphus mucronata
Ziziphus mucronata
Buffalo Thorn
Origin: The Buffalo thorn is found in sub-Sahara Africa, from South Africa northwards to Ethiopia and Arabia.
| Family |
| Rhamnaceae |
| Genus |
| Ziziphus |
| Species |
| mucronata |
| Category |
| Woody |
| Type |
| Tree (deciduous) |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 10a |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| >9a |
| RHS Hardiness Zone |
| H2 |
| Temperature (°C) |
| (-1) |
| Temperature (°F) |
| 30 |
| Height |
| 10 - 20 |
| Spread |
| 3 - 10 |
Photographs
Cultivars
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Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| General Description |
| The leaves are simple, alternate and ovate. There are two thorns growing from the nodes, one facing forwards and the second facing the opposite direction. The bark is a reddish-brown colour. |
| Shape |
| The crown of the tree is irregular. |
| Growth |
| Medium |
| ID Characteristic |
| On the nodes of the tree there are two thorns while the younger twigs zig-zag. |
| Bark/Stem Description |
| When the tree is young, the main stem is green and hairy. The base of the tree is 40 cm in diameter. As the tree gets older, the main branches start to crack into small rectangular blocks, revealing a red stringy under surface. |
| Leaf Description |
| The leaves are distinctly shiny, with three veins starting from the base of the leaf. The leaf's size can vary from tree to tree, but it has alternating, ovate leaves. The leaves turn a yellow colour in autumn. |
| Flower Description |
| The green-yellow flowers are borne in dense clusters. |
| Fruit Description |
| The fruit is a smooth, leathery drupe and is deep-red when in colour when it is fully ripe: when consumed it is slightly sweet. |
| Texture Description |
| When the tree is young, the main branches are hairy to the touch. |
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