Ziziphus mucronata
Buffalo thorn | |
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habit (summer) and fruit (winter) | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Rosales |
Family: | Rhamnaceae |
Genus: | Ziziphus |
Species: | Z. mucronata
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Binomial name | |
Ziziphus mucronata | |
Synonyms[1] | |
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Ziziphus mucronata, known as the buffalo thorn, is a species of tree in the family
Description
The buffalo thorn is a small to medium size tree, reaching a height of about 10 metres (33 ft), or rarely 17 metres (56 ft). The bark is a red-brown (on young stems) or roughly mottled grey, cracked in small rectangular blocks revealing a stringy red underbark. The bark becomes rough and turns to a dark grey or brown colour. The shrub or tree has distinctive zigzag branchlets, armed with pairs of thorns, one hooked and the other straight. In some instances adult trees lose their thorns completely. The fruit vary in size but regionally may grow larger than grape, and ripen to a deep brown-red colour. From October to April the greenish yellow flowers with silvery sheen are found in dense bunches in the axils of the leaves. Fruit are found from February to August.
Ecology
Their small, greenish yellow flowers attract many insects. They produce abundant nectar and consequently yield honey.[3] Several species of bird feed on the brownish-red fruit. The leaves as well as fruit are also sought after by wild animals and domestic stock. Giraffes and impala browse the leaves.
Uses
It makes a good perimeter barrier as its thorns are profuse on young shoots and are difficult to untangle because one points forward while the other points backward. Certain tribes believe the tree is safe to use as a shelter against lightning, and it may be planted as a grave marker for a deceased chief.
Medical uses
A blend made from the roots is used as a painkiller and for
Nutritional uses
The leaves are edible and can be cooked into spinach. The seeds can be roasted and ground as a substitute for coffee.[5] The fruit are not very tasty, though a type of beer can be made from them. The Ovambo people use it to distill ombike, a traditional liquor.[6] The leaves and fruits are also a valuable source of forage for livestock.[5]
Cultural practices and beliefs
Historically the
According to a Zulu belief, a person standing under a buffalo thorn during a lightning storm is protected from a possible strike, as the tree is immune to lightning. They also believe that if buffalo thorn is cut down during summer a drought or hail storm will occur. When a stock owner died, and was buried according to custom, within the cattle or goat kraal, some branches were placed on the grave so that the animals nibbled on leaves and twigs, and so understood that their master had died. In other parts, Africans drag a branch around the village to protect it from evil spirits, as it is believed to keep evil spirits at bay.[7]
Gallery
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Straight and hooked thorns in pairs
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Flowers in leaf axils
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Close up of flowers
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Smooth, hard fruit and glossy foliage
References
- ^ The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species, retrieved 30 January 2016
- ^ Orwa et al.,2009; Mazibuko, 2007;Ellis, 2003
- ^ Nombulelo Mazibuko, Kwazulu Natal Herbarium, April 2007
- ^ Watt, J.M. & Breyer-Brandwijk, M.G., 1932. The medicinal and poisonous plants of southern Africa. Livingstone, Edinburgh.
- ^ a b Heuzé V., Tran G., 2017. Buffalo thorn (Ziziphus mucronata). Feedipedia, a programme by INRA, CIRAD, AFZ and FAO. https://www.feedipedia.org/node/81 Last updated on July 17, 2017, 16:36
- ^ Shaanika, Helvy (26 October 2012). "Ombike – a potent traditional brew". New Era.
- ^ Palmer,E. & Pitman, N. 1972. Trees of South Africa. Balkema, Amsterdam, Cape Town
External links
- Ziziphus mucronata in U. Brunken, M. Schmidt, S. Dressler, T. Janssen, A. Thiombiano & G. Zizka: West African plants - A Photo Guide. - Forschungsinstitut Senckenberg, Frankfurt/Main, 2008.
- World Agroforestry Centre
- PlantZAfrica.com