Bora Berry
(Ziziphus spinosa)
Other Names: Bor, Spiny jujube, Wild jujube, Sheizaf
Description:
The red bora berry is a draught tolerant bush that grow to 1 metre height. The leaves are very small, ovoid and about 1 cm long. The bush is very spiny with very sharp thorns growing all over the plant. The berries are very small, up to 1 cm diameter, first pale yellow and then turn red when ripe. The flesh is only 1 to 2 mm thick, brown and fragrant. The seed is a round and the size of a small pea.
Uses:
Eaten fresh out of hand mainly by children. When dry, the berries become very hard and difficult to eat.
Health:
The flesh of the berry is high in vitamin c plus minerals such as calcium, copper, iron, phosphorous, magnesium and zinc.In China the seeds are used to make medicine to cure ailments including insomnia, irritability and palpitations.It is also used to aid heart and liver functions.
Climate:
Requires plenty of heat and sun, very draught tolerant.
Soil:
Bora berry will grow in very poor shallow soil.
Propagation:
From seed. Scarify before sowing, keep warm and moist. Germination takes 15 to 30 days. |
