| Ziziphus spina-christi | |
|---|---|
 | |
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] | |
| |
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 the crown of thorns of Jesus 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 southern 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 Arabah.[ citation needed ]
In the Philippines, the Blaan people called it dadiangas. This was the former name of the city of General Santos.[ citation needed ]
