68; see text Ziziphus /ˈzɪzɪfəs/[3] is a genus of spiny shrubs and small trees in the buckthorn family, Rhamnaceae.

The generic name is derived via classical Latin from Hellenistic Greek, where it is presumed to have been borrowed from another language, perhaps from zizfum or zizafun, the Persian word for Z.

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), suan zao ren (Ziziphus jujuba) is considered to be sweet and sour in taste, and neutral in action.

It is believed to nourish the heart yin, augment the liver blood, and calm the spirit (TCM medical terms).

[6] The Islamic mythological lote tree of Seventh Heaven, the Sidrat al-Muntaha is often equated with either Ziziphus spina-christi.