TITLE:
Morphological Investigation of Genus Ziziphus Mill. (Rhamnaceae) in Saudi Arabia
AUTHORS:
Rabab Abdullah Almalki, Dhafer Ahmed Alzahrani
KEYWORDS:
Morphological Features, Rhamnaceae, Saudi Arabia, Taxonomy, Ziziphus
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.9 No.13,
December
19,
2018
ABSTRACT: The genus Ziziphus Mill. is a member of the Family Rhamnaceae and comprises
of ca. 170 species distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. The species
in the genus are of economic and medicinal importance. This study was conducted
to identify the members of the genus in Saudi Arabia as well as morphological
features that show delimitation in the genus. Field survey was conducted across
the study area where 74 individuals were collected and used in the study;
additionally, herbarium specimens were also employed. Both floral and
vegetative parts which include habit, leaf, fruit and flowers were examined.
The result showed that there is variation in morphological features among the
species within the genus and the genus is represented by three species namely Ziziphus
nummularia, Z. mucronata,
and Z. spina-christi and two varieties Z. spina-christi var. spina-christi, Z. spina-christi var. microphylla.