Ziziphus spina-christi | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Rosales |
Family: | Rhamnaceae |
Genus: | Ziziphus |
Species: | Z. spina-christi |
Binomial name | |
Ziziphus spina-christi | |
Synonyms [2] | |
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Ziziphus spina-christi, known as the Christ's thorn jujube, is a thorny [3] and evergreen tree or plant.
It is native to the Levant, East Africa, and Mesopotamia. [4]
In the Levant, it grows in valleys up to an elevation of 500 metres (1,600 ft), [5] and is drought tolerant and heat-resistant. [6] The seed, contained within a small, oblong woody pit, is opened and eaten by local fauna, including the rock hyrax.
The ripe fruits are edible. [7]
Historically, it was utilized in ancient Egyptian medicine for its supposed anti-inflammatory properties, specifically in treating pain, swelling, and heat. An in vitro study has suggested that the plant might have anti-inflammatory properties, identifying active compounds such as epigallocatechin and gallocatechin that inhibit inflammatory pathways like NF-κB. [8]
In the Levant and wider Middle East, it is called sidr (associated with the lote tree of the Quran),[ citation needed ] and is common in the Jordan Valley and around Jerusalem, [9] as well as in the Hajar Mountains of the United Arab Emirates. [10] By some traditions, it was the tree from which Jesus' crown of thorns was made. [11] Matthew George Easton argues that Z. spina-christi is too brittle to be bent into a crown, and suggests another local plant, Ziziphus lotus . [12]
The oldest known Z. spina-christi is located in Ir Ovot, in the south of Israel. [13] It is estimated to be between 1500 and 2000 years old. [14] [15] It is believed locally to be the very tree from which Jesus' crown of thorns was made. [16] It is the national tree of Qatar and the symbol of the central Arava.[ citation needed ]
In the Philippines, the Blaan people called it dadiangas. This was the former name of General Santos City.[ citation needed ]