JUJUBE. Under this name the fruits of at least two species of Zizyphus are usually described, namely, Z. vulgaris and Z.
Jujuba. The genus is a member of the family Rhamnaceae. The species are small trees or shrubs, armed with sharp, straight, or hooked spines, having alternate leaves, and fruits which are edible in most of the species, and have an agreeable acid taste.
Z. vulgaris is a tree about 20 feet high, extensively cultivated in many parts of southern Europe, also in western Asia, China and Japan. In India it extends from the Punjab to the north western frontier, ascending in the Punjab Himalayas to a height of 6, Soo ft., and is found both in the wild and cultivated state.
The plant is grown almost exclusively for the sake of its fruit, which both in size and shape resembles a moderate-sized plum; at first the fruits are green, but as they ripen they become of a reddish-brown colour on the outside and yellow within. They ripen in September, when they are gathered and preserved by storing in a dry place ; after a time the pulp becomes much softer and sweeter than when fresh. Jujube fruits when carefully dried will keep for a long time, and retain their refreshing acid flavour.
Z. Jujuba is a tree averaging from 3o to 5o ft. high, found both wild and cultivated in China, the Malay Archipelago, Ceylon, India, tropical Africa and Australia. Many varieties are culti vated by the Chinese, who distinguished them by the shape and size of their fruits, which are not only much valued as dessert fruit in China, but are also occasionally exported to England.
This species was introduced into American cultivation in North Carolina in 1837 and in California in 1876. It is grown to a limited extent in various mild districts in the United States, attain ing its maximum productiveness in the southwestern States and in the interior valleys of California.
As seen in commerce jujube fruits are about the size of a small filbert, having a reddish-brown, shining, somewhat wrinkled ex terior, and a yellow or gingerbread coloured pulp enclosing a hard elongated stone.
The fruit of Zizyphus does not enter into the composition of the lozenges known as jujubes which are usually made of gum-arabic, gelatin, etc., and variously flavoured.