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GENERAL
Origin
:
arid
Vigour
:
slow-growing,
normal growth
rate
Humidity
:
extremely arid,
very arid
Propagation :
direct sowing,
cuttings
Maintenance :
low
CONDITIONS
Urban climate :
resistant
Dessication :
resistant
Stagnant water :
vulnerable
Irrigation
:
low
Salinity/ppm :
very high (9000
ppm)
Hardiness
:
-6°C
SHAPE
Type
:
shrub
Height
:
2 m
Spread
:
2 m
Foliage
:
evergreen
FLOWER
Colour
:
yellow
Period
:
February
- August,
November
FRUIT
Type of fruit :
drupe(fleshy/
juicy)
Fruit size
:
1 cm
Ziziphus nummularia has the Arabic names sidr, nabak or bayyi. Its area of distribution is the
northern to central Arabian peninsula, western India and southeastern Pakistan, and southern
Iran. The shrub is used to desert climates. It normally reaches a height of 2 metres, or sometimes
more. Ziziphus nummularia develops a dense, thorny, often irregular and weeping crown. The
foliage is evergreen. The leaves are alternately arranged, entire and small ovate. The 3-mm single
flowers stand together umbel-like and appear in winter and spring, and have a whitish-yellow
colour. The apple-like fruits have a size of 1 cm. Propagation is by seeds and cuttings. The shrub,
as a native, is very well adapted to desert conditions, with its tap roots, leathery leaves, drought
resistance and high salt tolerance. It grows in silty, gravelly soil. The sidr is an attractive and
appealing shrub or small tree which can be found growing in small groups in Thumamah Park.
It is recommended for use in open country and would be excellent for projects such as the re-
habilitation of natural plant cover. It can be used as coloniser, bank and slope stabiliser, and for
environmental consolidation. With its fresh dark foliage, it should be also considered for urban
landscape design purposes. It would be advisable for natural landscape design themes such as
Wadi Hanifah or even in road verge greening, park planting, or as a screen or shelter against wind.
Pruning is not necessary, but periodic pruning and irrigation will improve growth.
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Ziziphus nummularia,
Rhamnaceae
Wild jujube,
sidr, nabak