Chinee Apple (Ziziphus mauritana)
Chinee apple flower
Chinee apple is declared a Class A (to be eradicated) and Class C (not to be introduced to the Northern Territory) weed in accordance with the NT Weeds Management Act 2001.
Although the fruit is palatable and nutritious, Chinee apple is a woody, thorny species which can develop into dense thickets. Infested areas may become impenetrable, restricting access, interfering with mustering activities and outcompeting desirable pasture species.
Chinee apple is widely distributed across the Territory because of its edible fruit. Children from communities and small towns often take Chinee apple fruit home with them after visiting infested areas. The plant can also spread via birds, insects and mammals. The buoyancy of the seed also aids dispersal down rivers, streams and creeks.
Chinee apple trees
