ZIZIPHUS jujuba

A vigorous growing shrub or small tree with an open crown. Branches hanging, with a straight thorn (up to 3 cm long), and others shorter and bent. Leaves ovate to linear to elliptic, with an obtuse to flat tip, 2 to 6 cm long. Flowers yellowish white, with short stalks, 2 to 3 on each node, appearing in May. Fruits long to oval, dark red, later almost black, edible when fully ripe (in China and the Mediterranean the fruits are dried and candied). A sufficiently hardy woody plant only in regions with mild climate. Also known as chinese dates. S. Zone 8a.