Ziziphus spina-christi

Ziziphus spina-christi is an evergreen shrub or tree that starts branching low down on the bole and forms a thick, tangled crown, it can grow up to 18 metres tall, but is usually considerably smaller. The short bole can be 60cm in diameter.
The plant is harvested from the wild as a local source of food, medicines and materials. It is cultivated for its fruit in the oases of the Sahara, Tunisia, Algeria, Niger, E Africa, Sinai and also in Iran and N India; occasionally also in other areas such as Cuba.
It is also grown for ornamental purposes and to provide shade.