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GENERAL
Origin
:
Mediterranean,
sub-tropical
Vigour
:
normal growth
rate
Humidity
:
very arid, semi-
arid, semi-humid,
very humid
Propagation :
sowing and
pricking out,
cuttings
Maintenance :
low
CONDITIONS
Urban climate :
resistant
Dessication :
resistant
Stagnant water :
vulnerable
Irrigation
:
low
Salinity/ppm :
very high (8000
ppm)
Hardiness
:
-21°C
SHAPE
Type
:
tree, shrub
Height
:
7 m-14 m
Spread
:
5 m-9 m
Foliage
:
semi-evergreen
FLOWER
Colour
:
pale green, light
yellow
Period
:
May - July
FRUIT
Type of fruit :
drupe(fleshy/
juicy)
Fruit size
:
1.3 cm - 1.8 cm
Toxicity
:
edible, fruit
Ziziphus spina-christi has the common names Ziziphus and Crown-of-Thorns. This tree is indige-
nous to the east Mediterranean basin and southwest Asia. The Ziziphus has a normal growth rate
and develops a dense, often multi-stemmed crown. The semi-evergreen foliage is green; the leaves
are alternately arranged, entire and ovate in shape. The branches are armed with small thorns. Z.
spina-christi reaches a height up to 14 metres, with a width of up to 9 metres. The root system
is deep and extensive. The flowers are inconspicuous and umbel-like, with a light yellow-green
colour. After flowering, the tree develops apple-like fruits with a size of about 1 cm. These are
initially yellow, and later brown-red in colour. The tree is propagated by sowing and pricking, or
by cuttings. Z. spina-christi is one of the best and most reliable trees used in Arriyadh landscape
design. It can be found growing well everywhere in the city, e.g. in King Fahd Road, as a street
tree in Murrabba and in Addiriyyah. It is completely adapted to harsh desert and urban condi-
tions, needs almost no maintenance, low irrigation, little pruning and no added nutrients. It can
withstand medium salinity, but does not appreciate stagnant water. The tree is very valuable for
urban areas as a shelter plant, for public open spaces, street planting, parks and private gardens,
and also for roof gardens and courtyards. The only thing that needs to be considered is the fruit
drop. Ziziphus is good as a specimen tree and for afforestation and roadside planting.
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Ziziphus spina-christi,
Rhamnaceae
Ziziphus,
Crown of thorns, sidr