Description
The ‘Contorted’ Jujube (officially Ziziphus jujuba ‘Contorta’), often affectionately called the “So” or “Zig-Zag” Jujube, is the plant equivalent of a “bad hair day” that somehow looks high-fashion. It is prized as much for its avant-garde structure as it is for its sweet, edible fruit.
Aesthetic Appeal: The “Zig-Zag” Growth
The defining feature of this cultivar is its gnarled, twisted branches that change direction at every node.
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Winter Interest: While most fruit trees look a bit lonely in the winter, the Contorted Jujube shines. Without leaves, its skeletal, corkscrew silhouette looks like a living piece of sculpture or something out of a Tim Burton film.
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Foliage: In the spring and summer, it’s covered in bright, waxy green leaves that have a slight curl to match the branches.
The Fruit: “Red Dates”
Don’t let the ornamental looks fool you; this tree is a heavy producer.
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Taste: When fresh and green-streaked with brown, the fruit has the crunch and tart-sweetness of a miniature apple.
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Texture: As it ripens to a full mahogany brown and begins to wrinkle, the sugars concentrate, and the texture becomes spongy and sweet, similar to a culinary date.
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Size: The fruit is typically round to slightly oval, about 1–1.5 inches in diameter.
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