a genus (Zizyphus) of shrubs and trees grown for foliage and small, brown, fleshy, oval fruits; used in candy or as preserved fruit; believed to have originated in Syria, carried by Romans to Europe, now found in all tropical regions; common, or Chinese, jujube grows to 40 ft (12 m); leaves oval, with 2 spines at base; flowers small, green or white, in clusters.