Ziziphus mauritiana is native to South Asia but has spread widely across tropical and subtropical regions. It is a fast-growing deciduous tree that thrives in arid and semi-arid conditions. The tree produces small yellow-green flowers in clusters, followed by round to oval drupes that ripen from green to reddish-brown. The fruit of Ziziphus mauritiana is edible and consumed either fresh, dried, or processed into beverages, jams, and pickles. Its taste ranges from sweet to slightly acidic, and it provides significant amounts of vitamin C. Commercially, India is one of the largest producers. Medicinally, different parts of the tree are traditionally used: the fruits for digestive and respiratory ailments, the leaves for skin diseases, and the bark and roots for fever and infections. Photographed in Florida.