Are Jujubes in the Apple Family?

December 3, 2025 •

3 min read

While both are tree-borne fruits enjoyed worldwide, jujubes and apples are not botanical relatives. Despite a superficial resemblance in some varieties, the two fruits belong to entirely different scientific families, a fact that surprises many who compare their taste and texture.

Quick Summary

Jujubes and apples are not related, belonging to the Rhamnaceae and Rosaceae families, respectively. This distinction is rooted in their distinct botanical classifications, including different genus and species, despite occasional flavor comparisons. Their differing fruit types—drupe versus pome—further underscore their unrelatedness.

Key Points

Not Related: Jujubes are not in the apple family; they belong to the Rhamnaceae (buckthorn) family, while apples are in the Rosaceae (rose) family.
Different Fruit Types: Jujubes are stone fruits (drupes) with a single hard pit, whereas apples are pome fruits with multiple small seeds inside a core.
Distinct Origins: The jujube originated in Central Asia, particularly China, while the apple's wild ancestor hails from Kazakhstan.
Taste and Texture Changes: A fresh jujube has a crisp, apple-like texture, but it becomes wrinkled and date-like when dried, an experience unlike an apple.
Independent Evolution: The separate classification of these fruits is based on divergent evolutionary paths and fundamental genetic differences.
Significant Nutritional Differences: While both are healthy, jujubes have notably higher vitamin C content compared to apples.

The Surprising Truth: Separate Botanical Families

Many people, tasting a fresh, crisp jujube, note its similarity to a mild apple and assume a connection. However, from a botanical standpoint, this assumption is incorrect. Jujubes, with the scientific name Ziziphus jujuba, are members of the buckthorn family, Rhamnaceae. This places them in a completely different lineage from apples (Malus domestica), which belong to the rose family, Rosaceae.

This familial distinction goes far beyond simple naming conventions. The classifications are based on fundamental differences in their plant anatomy, reproductive structures, and genetic makeup, representing millions of years of distinct evolutionary paths. While both families are part of a larger grouping of plants known as the rosids, their individual branches diverged long ago, placing them in separate orders—Rosales for the rose family and Rosales for the buckthorn family—before splitting further at the family level.

Apples: A Member of the Rosaceae Family

Apples are a prime example of the Rosaceae family, which also includes a diverse range of other popular fruits, including pears, plums, peaches, cherries, and strawberries. This family is known for its showy flowers, typically with five petals, and its economically important edible products. Apples, specifically, are classified as pome fruits, characterized by a fleshy outer part that develops from the floral receptacle and a tough core containing the seeds.

Key Characteristics of Rosaceae Fruits:
- Pome fruits (apples, pears), drupes (peaches, cherries), or aggregate fruits (strawberries, raspberries).
- Wide diversity in the Northern Hemisphere.
- Seeds often contain compounds like amygdalin.

Jujubes: A Drupe in the Rhamnaceae Family

In contrast, the jujube tree belongs to the Rhamnaceae family, or the buckthorn family. This group of flowering plants, primarily consisting of shrubs and trees, is found worldwide, though the jujube itself is believed to have originated in Asia. Jujube fruits are classified as drupes, also known as stone fruits, which have a fleshy outer layer surrounding a hard endocarp (the stone or pit) that contains a single seed. This is a key structural difference from apples and other pome fruits.

Key Characteristics of Rhamnaceae Fruits (Jujubes):
- Drupe (stone fruit) with a single hard pit.
- Adaptable to a range of climates, particularly dry, warm weather.
- Historically and medicinally significant in Chinese culture.

Jujube vs. Apple: A Comparison Table


Feature	Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba)	Apple (Malus domestica)
Plant Family	Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn)	Rosaceae (Rose)
Fruit Type	Drupe (Stone Fruit)	Pome Fruit (Core Fruit)
Number of Seeds	Single, hard stone	Multiple small seeds within a core
Texture	Crisp and apple-like when immature; wrinkles and becomes date-like when ripe	Generally crisp and juicy, with variations by cultivar
Flavor Profile	Ranges from mild, sweet, and tangy to caramel-like when dried	Varies widely, from tart to very sweet
Typical Origin	Central Asia, especially China	Central Asia, specifically Kazakhstan

The Importance of Botanical Classification

Understanding the distinct botanical classification of jujubes and apples is crucial for several reasons. For growers, it informs proper cultivation techniques, pest control strategies, and breeding efforts, as different plant families have different genetic makeup and susceptibility to diseases. For consumers, it provides context for the fruits' unique characteristics and nutritional profiles. Jujubes are exceptionally rich in vitamin C, with some studies indicating significantly higher levels than apples. This insight helps explain why, despite a passing resemblance in some forms, these two fruits are fundamentally different in their biological and historical contexts. A deeper dive into the world of jujubes, including their rich history, can be explored through resources on platforms like ScienceDirect.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the answer to the question "Are jujubes in the apple family?" is a definitive no. While culinary comparisons are common, their botanical lineage is distinct. The apple belongs to the Rosaceae (rose) family and is a pome fruit, while the jujube belongs to the Rhamnaceae (buckthorn) family and is a stone fruit. This familial separation is evidenced by differences in their internal structure, genetic history, and native origins. The next time you enjoy a crisp, fresh jujube or a sweet apple, you can appreciate the unique botanical background of each fruit.

Frequently Asked Questions

The jujube fruit, with the scientific name Ziziphus jujuba, belongs to the Rhamnaceae, or buckthorn, family.

Apples, Malus domestica, are members of the Rosaceae family, commonly known as the rose family.

No, despite some superficial similarities, jujubes and apples are not genetically related beyond being part of a larger plant grouping. Their distinct families show they followed different evolutionary paths.

The key difference is that a jujube is a drupe (or stone fruit) with a single pit, while an apple is a pome fruit with a core containing multiple seeds.

No, a jujube is not a true date. While often called a 'Chinese date' when dried, it is a different fruit entirely. True dates grow on palm trees.

Yes, their nutritional profiles are distinct. Jujubes contain exceptionally high levels of vitamin C, sometimes hundreds of times more than an apple, along with other unique compounds.

Some compare the taste because when immature, the flesh of a jujube can be crisp and juicy, with a texture reminiscent of an apple. However, the flavor and texture change significantly as it ripens or is dried.