Ziziphus lotus

Description

Ziziphus lotus, also known as the Lotus tree or African Pectoral Berry, is a small deciduous tree belonging to the family Rhamnaceae. It grows in the Mediterranean region.

### Physical Characteristics

The tree has a thorny shrub-like appearance, reaching heights of up to two or three meters. Its stems are zigzag and have a smooth bark with an ash color. The leaves are simple, regular, oval, shiny, hairless, and drooping, measuring approximately 5 cm in length.

### Flowers and Fruits

The flowers are small, yellow, and stellar, measuring about 4 mm in diameter. The edible fruit is spherical, with a diameter of 1-2 cm, resembling an olive in shape. It has a sweet, somewhat sour taste and a coarse, shiny skin. The fruit forms one wooden seed with longitudinal grooves.

### Growth Cycle

In the northern hemisphere, Ziziphus lotus blooms in summer (June to July), and its fruits ripen in autumn (September to October).

Distribution

The tree is found in various regions, including:

* Algeria
* Burkina Faso
* Cyprus
* Egypt
* Greece
* Gulf States
* Lebanon
* Syria
* Libya
* Mali
* Mauritania
* Morocco
* Niger
* Palestine
* Sicily
* Spain