6 BULLETIN 1215, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
curved woody branches and gray baric makes the tree distinctly 
ornamentalj even during the winter season. 
Sometimes brandies are found more or less intermediate between 
the deciduous and woody one-. Such branches bear leaves and 
fruit. In some cases young grafted plants have branches of this 
kind only. They are then spreading in habit instead of upright. At, 
the end of the season, branches of this type usually die back about 
half, while the remaining portion hardens and the following year 
puts out new Leaves. Some of the lower buds on such branches may 
develop into woody branches the next season. 
The leaves vary from ovate to ovate-lanceolate, with oblique, heart - 
shaped bases, and they are prominently 3-ribbed, smooth and lustroua 
green above, somewhat paler below, very ornamental. 
When the flower opens, the anthers are fitted into the hoods 
of the petals, from which they are released and their pollen shed 
the first day. The stigmas remain closely appressed by their inner 
surfaces until the second day, when the upper portions of the 
styles recurve, thus placing the stigmas in position to receive pollen. 
The disk exudes nectar after the stigmas are in position, so that 
insects are attracted and cross-fertilization is assured. 
The mature fruit varies greatly in size and shape. It may be 
spherical and not more than one-half to 1 inch in diameter, consist- 
ing of little more than skin and stone, or it may be ovoid, ellipsoidal, 
or pear-shaped and 2 inches in diameter. The fruit (Pis. II-Y) has 
a curious method of ripening. Brown spots appear here and there 
on the green fruit and gradually increase in size until they merge 
and completely cover the surface. The fruit at this time is a beauti- 
ful golden brown: within a few days it begins to dry, then wrinkles 
(PL II), and becomes darker. If left on the tree until completely 
dried, it turns to a rich mahogany brown. The stone varies in 
size and shape, in some varieties closely resembling a cherry pit, 
in others being ellipsoidal with a sharp spine at one end. In some 
forms the -tone is almost smooth, while in others it i- furrowed and 
ridged. 
Besides the Chinese jujube, quite a number of others have become 
important in cultivation, and several of these are native to the United 
States and adjacent portions of Mexico. Any or all of them may 
sooner or later spring into prominence in jujube culture, either as 
improved fruits or as stocks. It is therefore not amiss to describe 
some of these species in such detail that they may be recognized. 
Some, though not all, of the synonymy of their scientific names is 
given, in order to assist in keeping clear the matter of species and 
varieties in a genus where much nomenclatorial confusion and dupli- 
cation have existed. 
Ziziphus mm ritiana Lam., its'.'. Encycl. Meth. Bot. III. 319. 
z. jujuba Lam., I7s<>, Encycl. Meth. Bot. ill. : , .i s <: nol Mill. 
Z. orthacantha, DC., L825, Prodr. II. 21. 
Z. rotundata, DC., 1825, Prodr. II. 21. 
A tall shrul) or small tree with short prickles I rarely none) and ovate or 
nearly round leaves, usually very obtuse, three-fourth^ to 1* Inches long, smooth 
above, the under surface as well as the leafstalks and young branches covered 
with :i Close white or rusty wool. Flower clusters small, compact, and closely 
seated on the branches. Fruil globose (PI. VIII) one-half to i Inch in diameter; 
dark red. 
