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    Home»Herbs and Spices»Facts about Lotus tree
    Herbs and Spices

    Facts about Lotus tree

    By SylviaMarch 17, 2019Updated:March 17, 2019No Comments6 Mins Read
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    Facts about Lotus tree

    Lotus tree scientifically known as Ziziphus lotus is a deciduous shrub in the buckthorn family Rhamnaceae. The plant is native to the Mediterranean region, like Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, and Libya except France and Italy. It is one of several species called “jujube”, and is closely related to Z. jujuba, the true jujube. Few of the popular common names of the plant are African jujube, Lote fruit, Lotus tree, Lotus, Lotus jujube and wild jujube. The plant is used in nutrition, health, and cosmetics in several forms, for example, honey, tea, jam, juice, oil, loaf, and cake.

    Plant Description

    Lotus tree is an intricately branched, dense deciduous thorny shrub that grows about 2–5 meters (6.6–16.4 ft.) tall. The plant is found growing in arid and semiarid regions throughout the world. The plant prefers deep clayey soils for better growth of the plant. The plant has grey, zigzagged, and frequently curved, down branches. Alternate leaves are 2–4 cm long, elliptical, shallowly crenate, with three parallel longitudinal veins in their surface. There are two hard thorns in the insertions of each leaf; one is straight and the other is hooked.

    Flower & Fruit

    Flowers are small, arranged in racemes. They are actinomorphic, bisexual, and green-yellowish. They are not conspicuous from afar, but secrete large amounts of nectar and are visited by numerous insects, mainly honeybees. The flower has 5 sepals, 5 petals, 5 stamens. Flowering normally takes place between March and April. Fertile flowers are followed by a sub globose and brown-reddish drupe, 1–2 cm in diameter, with a large stone in the center and surrounded by a dry fleshy pulp. It fruits ripen in autumn.

    Cultural and religious references

    Ziziphus lotus is often considered as the lotus tree of Greek mythology. It is supposed to be referenced in the Odyssey, consumed by the Lotus-Eaters as a narcotic to induce peaceful apathy.

    A sacred lotus tree planted near the temple of Vulcan in Rome was said to have been planted by Romulus, who is said to have been a contemporary of the composer[s] of the Odyssey (8th century BCE); it was still standing some 700 years later, in the time of Pliny the Elder.

    In Arabic-speaking regions the Ziziphus lotus and alternatively the jujube are closely associated with the lote-trees (sidr) which are mentioned in the Quran, while in Palestine it is rather the Ziziphus spina-christi that is called sidr. Elsewhere in the Arab world the European and Chinese jujubes are also associated with the Lote-trees (sidr).

    The nineteenth century English explorer, Richard Francis Burton reported seeing an ancient sidr tree in the mosque containing the Prophet Muhammad’s tomb in Medina. It was in a garden dedicated to the prophet’s daughter, Fatimah. The fruit from the tree was being sold to pilgrims and its leaves used for washing dead bodies.

    History

    Ziziphus fruit remains, which could be assigned to Z. lotus and Z. spina-christi, have been found in a number of archaeological excavations, in west Asia and Egypt, dated from Neolithic and Bronze Age (Azam-Ali et al. 2006). Its profusion in Libya was mentioned by Herodotus (fifth century BC) and Theophrastus (third century BC), describing its edible fruits, with a sweetness similar to dates, and identifying them with those consumed by the mythological lotus-eaters (lotophages) referred to in the Homer’s Odyssey. They also mentioned that the fruits were used to make wine. The same was repeated by Pliny the Elder in the first century AD, also adding that those who eat its fruits are subject to no maladies of the stomach.

    Lotus tree Image Gallery
    Flower-of-Lotus-tree Flower-of-Lotus-tree
    Fruit-of-Lotus-tree-on-the-tree Fruit-of-Lotus-tree-on-the-tree
    Leaves-and-thorns-of-Lotus-tree-tree Leaves-and-thorns-of-Lotus-tree-tree
    Leaves-of-Lotus-tree Leaves-of-Lotus-tree
    Lotus-tree Lotus-tree
    Lotus-tree-growing-wild Lotus-tree-growing-wild
    Mature-fruit-of-Lotus-tree Mature-fruit-of-Lotus-tree
    Plant-Illustration-of-Lotus-tree Plant-Illustration-of-Lotus-tree
    Ripe-fruit-of-Lotus-tree-on-the-tree Ripe-fruit-of-Lotus-tree-on-the-tree
    Seeds-of-Lotus-tree-fruit Seeds-of-Lotus-tree-fruit
    Sketch-of-Lotus-tree Sketch-of-Lotus-tree
    Unripe-fruits-of-Lotus-tree Unripe-fruits-of-Lotus-tree
    Traditional uses and benefits of Lotus tree

    • In traditional medicine, Z. lotus is used as anti-diabetes, sedative, bronchitis, and anti-diarrhea by local populations.
    • Several parts of Z. lotus are given as anti-urinary troubles agents, anti-diabetes, skin infections, anti-fever, anti-diarrhea, insomnia agents, sedative, bronchitis, and hypoglycemic activities.
    • Powder of dried leaves and fruit mixed with water or milk is used for the treatment of boils.
    • Root bark is used for the treatment of diabetes.
    • Juice from Z. lotus root would be efficient in the treatment of eye leucomas.
    • Fruits and the leaves of Z. lotus are used as emollient and in the treatment of diarrhea and intestinal diseases.
    • Different parts of the plant (fruits, leaves, and root) have been used in North African traditional medicine for treating diverse ailments, such as diabetes, digestive, respiratory and cardiac diseases, or skin problems.
    • Leaf powder is applied topically for treating abscesses and wounds.
    • Fruit decoction is used for treating diabetes, digestive and respiratory problems in central Morocco.

    Culinary Uses

    • lotus fruits would still be consumed by local population in North Africa.
    • Fruits are dried and processed into flour to make pancakes with very pleasant flavor.
    • Edible fruits, though not of high quality, have been consumed in some countries of the Mediterranean region, such as southeast Spain, Cyprus, Turkey, Jordan and Morocco.
    • They are mainly eaten as a dessert, both raw when ripe or after dehydration throughout the year, though they are also used to prepare jams or even an acid beverage in Lybia.
    • In the north of Africa, the dried fruits are ground into flour for making bread and the seeds kernel to make amlou, a Moroccan chunky paste usually made with argan oil, almonds or peanuts, and sometimes honey or sugar.
    • Fruits are prized by nomads that take them as travel provisions and frequently sold in local markets and on roadsides, at least in some Moroccan localities.
    • Fruits of other wild species of the same genus are also consumed and frequently considered of better quality.
    • They are also used for making preserves, or can be dried and then made into flour for making bread etc.

    Other facts

    • This plant has been also used as fodder and honey plant, fuel, and for hedges and erosion control.
    • The plant is occasionally grown as a hedge, where its prickly stems can act as a barrier.
    • Flowers are attractive to bees.
    • Prickly branches are used to make stock-proof barriers.
    • The wood is used for fuel.

    References:

    https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=506081#null

    https://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/190816/

    https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=ZILO

    http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl/record/kew-2470687

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ziziphus_lotus

    https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/57555

    https://wikivisually.com/wiki/Ziziphus_lotus

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    Lotus Tree facts

    Lotus tree Quick Facts
    Name: Lotus tree
    Scientific Name: Ziziphus lotus
    Origin Mediterranean region, like Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, and Libya except France and Italy
    Colors Brown-reddish
    Shapes Sub globose and brown-reddish drupe, 1–2 cm in diameter,
    Taste Sweet and sugary
    Calories 61 Kcal./cup
    Major nutrients Vitamin C (96.00%)
    Magnesium (88.81%)
    Manganese (82.61%)
    Calcium (49.00%)
    Vitamin E (36.07%)
    Health benefits Beneficial for anti-urinary troubles, anti-diabetes, skin infections, anti-fever, anti-diarrhea, insomnia, bronchitis, eye leucomas, respiratory and cardiac diseases
    Name Lotus tree
    Scientific Name Ziziphus lotus
    Native Mediterranean region, like Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, and Libya except France and Italy
    Common Names African jujube, Lote fruit, Lotus tree, Lotus, Lotus jujube, wild jujube
    Name in Other Languages Catalan: Guinjoler, guinjoler murcià
    Dutch: Italiaanse jujubenboom
    English: African jujube, Lote fruit, Lotus tree, Lotus, Lotus jujube, wild jujube,
    French: Jujubier berbère, Jujubier sauvage, Jujubier de Berbérie, jujubier des lotophages          
    German: Wilde Jujube, italienischer Jujubenstrauch
    Hebrew: Sheizaf hassiach, שֵׁיזַף הַשִּׂיחַ
    Italian: Giuggiolo selvatico
    Netherlands: Italiaanse jujubenboom
    Portuguese: Anáfega-menor, açofeifa-menor, açufeireira-menor, loto-de-túnez, lódão, maçã-de-anáfega, náfega
    Russian: Lotosovoye derevo (лотосовое дерево), unabi  (унаби), unabi afrikanskaya (унаби африканская), unabi lotosovyy (унаби лотосовый)
    Spanish: Abenuz, arlo, artinero, azufaifo, azufaifo de Túnez, azufaifo loto, azufaifo Silvestre, guinjo, guinjolero, jinjolero, loto, rosa de la Virgen
    Swedish: Lotusbröstbär
    Turkish: Sarı hünnap
    Plant Growth Habit intricately branched, dense deciduous thorny shrub
    Growing Climates Grows in arid and semiarid regions
    Soil Grows on deep clayey soils
    Plant Size 2–5 meters (6.6–16.4 ft.)
    Branch Grey, zigzagged, and frequently curved, down branches.
    Leaf Alternate leaves are 2–4 cm long, elliptical, shallowly crenate, with three parallel longitudinal veins in their surface. There are two hard thorns in the insertions of each leaf; one is straight and the other is hooked
    Flowering season March and April
    Flower Flowers are small, arranged in racemes. They are actinomorphic, bisexual, and green-yellowish. They are not conspicuous from afar, but secrete large amounts of nectar and are visited by numerous insects, especially honeybees
    Fruit Shape & Size Sub globose and brown-reddish drupe, 1–2 cm in diameter,
    Fruit Color Brown-reddish
    Taste Sweet and sugary
    Major Nutrition Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) 86.4 mg (96.00%)
    Magnesium, Mg 373 mg (88.81%)
    Manganese, Mn 1.9 mg (82.61%)
    Calcium, Ca 490 mg (49.00%)
    Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) 5.41 mg (36.07%)
    Iron, Fe 1.25 mg (15.63%)
    Total dietary Fiber 5.12 g (13.47%)
    Zinc, Zn 0.413 mg (3.75%)
    Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) 0.039 mg (3.25%)
    Potassium, K 126 mg (2.68%)

    Lotus tree Scientific Classification

    Scientific Name: Ziziphus lotus

    Rank Scientific Name & (Common Name)
    Kingdom Plantae (Plants)
    Subkingdom Tracheobionta (Vascular plants)
    Infrakingdom Streptophyta  (land plants)
    Superdivision Spermatophyta (Seed plants)
    Division Magnoliophyta (Flowering plants)
    Subdivision Spermatophytina  (spermatophytes, seed plants, phanérogames)
    Class Magnoliopsida (Dicotyledons)
    Subclass Rosidae
    Superorder Rosanae
    Order Rhamnales
    Family Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn family)
    Genus Ziziphus Mill. (jujube)
    Species Ziziphus lotus (L.) Lam. (lotus)
    Synonyms
    • Rhamnus lotus L.
    Nutritional value of Fresh fruits of Lotus tree
    Serving Size: 100 g

    Calories 61 K cal. Calories from Fat 7.11 K cal.

    Proximity Amount % DV
    Water 12.3 g N/D
    Energy 61 Kcal N/D
    Protein 1.18 g 2.36%
    Total Fat (lipid) 0.79 g 2.26%
    Ash 3.01 g N/D
    Total dietary Fiber 5.12 g 13.47%
    Total Sugars 9.87 g N/D
    Sucrose 7.05 g N/D
    Reducing sugars 9.87 g N/D

     
    Minerals Amount % DV
    Calcium, Ca 490 mg 49.00%
    Iron, Fe 1.25 mg 15.63%
    Magnesium, Mg 373 mg 88.81%
    Phosphorus, P 9.29 mg 1.33%
    Potassium, K 126 mg 2.68%
    Sodium, Na 10 mg 0.67%
    Zinc, Zn 0.413 mg 3.75%
    Manganese, Mn 1.9 mg 82.61%


     
    Vitamins Amount % DV
    Water soluble Vitamins
    Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) 0.039 mg 3.25%
    Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) 86.4 mg 96.00%
    Fat soluble Vitamins
    Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) 5.41 mg 36.07%
    Total phenolics 8.26 mg N/D
    Flavonoids 4.61 mg N/D
    Tannins 33.6 mg N/D

     

     
    Lipids Amount % DV
    Fatty acids, total saturated 24.5 g N/D
    Palmitic acid 16:00 (Hexadecanoic acid) 27.6 g N/D
    Stearic acid 18:00 (Octadecanoic acid) 11.2 g N/D
    Fatty acids, total monounsaturated 38.8 g N/D
    Oleic acid 18:1 (octadecenoic acid) 24.5 g N/D
    Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated 36.6 g N/D
    Linoleic acid 18:2 (octadecadienoic acid) 36.6 g N/D
    Omega-6 fatty acids (n-6) 36.6 g N/D
    Omega-9 fatty acids (n-9) 24.5 g N/D

    *Above mentioned Percent Daily Values (%DVs) are based on 2,000 calorie diet intake. Daily values (DVs) may be different depending upon your daily calorie needs. Mentioned values are recommended by a U.S. Department of Agriculture. They are not healthbenefitstimes.com recommendations. Calculations are based on average age of 19 to 50 years and weighs 194 lbs.

    Source:
    https://www.springer.com/

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