Family: Rhamnaceae Scientific name: Ziziphus mauritiana Description: Plant Form Thorny densely-branched shrub or small tree. Size Up to 10 m tall. Stem Young stems zig-zagging with single curved thorn at each joint, mature stems woody and fibrous. Leaves Oval or egg-shaped 2-8 cm long, dark green and glossy above, and whitish or rusty and hairy underneath. Alternately arranged on short stalks. Flowers Small, inconspicuous greenish white, unpleasant smelling. Fruit and Seeds Cherry sized 2-5 cm diameter, pale yellow to reddish orange when ripe, look like little apples. Habitat Floodplains, watercourses, roadsides, disturbed sites, pastures, open woodland. Distinguishing Features Larger fruit than other Ziziphus species, fruits are fleshy rather than hard shelled in Strychnine tree (Strychnos psilosperma). Impacts Forms impenetrable thickets, outcompete native savanna trees.