Ziziphus mistol facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ziziphus mistol |
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Ziziphus
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mistol
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The mistol (scientific name: Ziziphus mistol) is a tree with thorns. It belongs to the Rhamnaceae plant family and the Ziziphus group. You can find many mistol trees in parts of the Gran Chaco region in South America. The name "mistol" comes from an old Spanish word meaning "mixture." People in the past thought it might be a mix of different tree types because of its wood color.
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What Does the Mistol Tree Look Like?
Mistol trees can be different heights. Some grow as tall as 10 to 15 meters (about 33 to 49 feet). However, most mistol trees are usually 4 to 9 meters (about 13 to 30 feet) tall. The main trunk of the tree can also vary in thickness, from 20 to 60 centimeters (about 8 to 24 inches) across.
Branches and Leaves
The branches of the mistol tree are plentiful and covered in fine, soft hairs (this is called pubescent). They have thorns near the leaves and grow in a zig-zag pattern. The leaves of the mistol tree are semi-deciduous. This means they fall off during part of the year, but not all at once like fully deciduous trees.
Mistol leaves are oval-shaped and grow one after another along the stem (this is called alternate). They have smooth edges and three clear veins that start at the base. The leaves are usually 2 to 7 centimeters (about 1 to 3 inches) long and have short stems.
Flowers and Fruit
Mistol trees bloom with flowers late in the spring, from October to December. Their fruit then ripens from November to March. The fruit is a type of berry called a drupe. It is round, about 1 to 5 centimeters (less than an inch to 2 inches) long, and has a reddish-brown color. The fruit is sweet and sugary, but it can taste a bit bitter when it is fully ripe.
Mistol Wood
The wood from the mistol tree is very strong, heavy, and lasts a long time. Because it is so tough, people often use it to make tools that are held by hand. It is also used for parts of carriage wheels. Sometimes, it is used to make charcoal that burns slowly.
How People Use Mistol
For hundreds of years before Spanish settlers arrived, the mistol fruit was an important food for many Native American tribes in the Gran Chaco region. These tribes included the Comechingón, Diaguita, and Quilmes people.
Eating the Fruit
People can eat the mistol fruit fresh when it is ripe. It can also be processed into other foods. One popular food made from mistol fruit is called arrope. This is a thick, sweet syrup made by cooking down the fruit's juice and pulp with cane sugar.
Mistol Coffee
You can also find "mistol coffee" in health food stores in South America. It is becoming more popular because it has almost no caffeine. Caffeine is a natural chemical found in regular coffee that can make you feel more awake.
See also
- In Spanish: Mistol para niños
