Ziziphus jujuba
Jujube, Jujube
Family: Rhamnaceae · Type: Tree · Not Native
Ziziphus jujuba (Jujube) is a non-native California tree in the Rhamnaceae family, recognized by distinctive large tree form and leaf characteristics.
Jujube is a naturalized tree found in northern Sierra Nevada foothills and northern Sacramento Valley in occasional garden settings at an elevation of 270 meters. Flowering from May to July, this tree produces small yellow flowers in compact clusters of 2 to 8 blooms at branch nodes. Growing with pendulous, zigzag twigs and reaching heights under 12 meters, it features distinctive gray to black shaggy bark. Its deciduous leaves are bright green and shiny on top, elliptic to obovate, with serrated margins measuring 25 to 60 millimeters long. The fruit is a fleshy red drupe, adding seasonal visual interest to the tree's appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; distinctive large tree form and leaf characteristics
Habitat and range
Habitat: Occasional garden escape
Elevation: 270 m
Outside California: United States, Old World
Bloom period
Ziziphus jujuba blooms May-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Pseudoziziphus: Ziziphus has thick disk obscuring ovary; Pseudoziziphus has thin disk showing ovary clearly.; vs Condaliopsis: Ziziphus flowers have thick swollen disk center; Condaliopsis has thin or no disk.; vs Ulmus: Ziziphus has woody zigzag branches; Ulmus has straight branches with serrated leaves.; vs Ceanothus: Ziziphus has thick disk in flower center; Ceanothus has thin disk and showy petals.; vs Colubrina: Ziziphus has thick disk nearly hiding ovary; Colubrina has thin disk with visible ovary.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ziziphus jujuba native to California?
No. Ziziphus jujuba is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Ziziphus jujuba bloom?
Ziziphus jujuba blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Ziziphus jujuba belong to?
Ziziphus jujuba is in the Rhamnaceae family, genus Ziziphus.
What habitat does Ziziphus jujuba grow in?
Ziziphus jujuba grows in Occasional garden escape.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-01
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.