What is ‘Pseudoziziphus’?

Pseudoziziphus is a genus of flowering plants in the family Rhamnaceae. The genus contains at least one species, Pseudoziziphus schimperiana, which is commonly known as the “false jujube” or “Ethiopian jujube.”

Pseudoziziphus schimperiana is a small tree that is native to East Africa and produces small, edible fruit that is similar in taste to the true jujube fruit (Ziziphus jujuba). The fruit is used in local cuisines and has also been studied for its potential use in the pharmaceutical industry. The tree is also valued for its timber and is sometimes grown as an ornamental plant.

Despite its name, the false jujube is not closely related to the true jujube (Ziziphus jujuba), which belongs to a different genus within the same family. However, both plants share similar fruit characteristics and are sometimes referred to interchangeably in the local markets.