Ziziphus mucronata Willd.

buffalo thorn

Afr

blinkblaar-wag-‘n-bietjie

isiZulu

umphafa, umlahlankosi, isilahla

IsiXhosa

umphafa

Description

Family:

Rhamnaceae

Order:

Rosales

Description

Ziziphus mucronata is a hardy, drought-resistant, deciduous tree or shrub, 3 – 12 meters tall, with zigzag branches, dual thorns (one straight, one hooked), and shiny, green, alternate leaves. It produces small, yellowish-green, fragrant flowers in clusters, followed by small, brown to reddish, edible fruits. The tree is widespread in savannas, woodlands, open scrubland, rocky koppies, and along streams.

Plant Details

Height

3 - 12 meters

Thorns

Paired at nodes: one straight, one hooked

Soil

Tolerates a wide range, including sandy, clay, and alluvial soils; indicator of underground water

Moderate

Growth Rate

3 - 12 meters

Size

Several decades

Lifespan

Flower Colour

Flowering Season

, , , ,

Horticultural Zones

Neutral to slightly alkaline

pH

Tolerates a wide range, including sandy, clay, and alluvial soils; indicator of underground water

Soil

Full sun

Aspect

High

Frost Tolerance

High

Drought Resistance

Companion Plants

Suitable for mixed savanna, woodland, and riparian plantings.

Caterpillars

Supports various Lepidoptera larvae and insect pollinators.

Associations

Descriptions

Leaves and fruit are eaten by birds, wild animals, and domestic stock. Giraffes, kudu, and elephants browse the leaves, while the fruits are consumed by birds, monkeys, and people. The tree forms dense thickets, providing shelter and nesting for birds and small mammals, and stabilizes soil in floodplains and riverbanks.

Flowers and fruits

Small, fragrant, yellowish-green flowers attract bees and other pollinators. Fruits are edible, nutritious, and dispersed by animals and birds.

Birds

Fruits are a key food source for many bird species; dense growth offers nesting and cover.

By Seeds:

Sow fresh seeds in sandy or loamy soil; germinates readily.

By Cuttings:

Not commonly used; seed propagation preferred.

Traditional Uses

Fruits eaten fresh or dried; bark and roots used in traditional medicine; wood used for tools and fencing.
Leaves and fruit browsed by livestock and wild herbivores, especially during drought.
Not known to be toxic.
Excellent for soil stabilization, erosion control, hedging, and supporting biodiversity in restoration projects.

Plant Details

Height

Description

Thorns

Description

Leaves

Description

Size

Growth Form

Size

Size

Size

Lifespan

Size

Flower Colour

Size

Flowering Season

Size

Horticultural Zones

Size

pH

Size

Soil

Size

Aspect

Size

Frost Tolerance

Size

Drought Resistance

Description

DESCRIPTION

Height

DESCRIPTION

Leaves

DESCRIPTION

Thorns

DESCRIPTION

BSS

Ecoscore

Host plant Nectar Grazing

Link to PlantzAfrica.co.za

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Distribution

Companion Plants

Description

Caterpillars

Associations

Leaves

Leaves

Flowers and fruits

Leaves

Birds

Leaves

Mammals

Leaves

By Seeds:

Leaves

By Cuttings:

Leaves

Traditional Uses

traditional uses