Lycium barbarum

Shrubs erect, 0.8–3 m; bark silvery tan; stems glabrous. Leaves: blade lanceolate to oblong, 20–60 × 3–35 mm, sur­faces glabrous. Inflorescences 2–4-flowered fascicles or solitary flowers. Pedicels 10–20 mm. Flowers 4–6-merous; calyx campanulate, often 2-lobed, 3–5 mm, lobes 1–2 mm; corolla lavender to purple, funnelform, 8–13 mm, lobe lengths 0.5–1 times tube; stamens exserted. Berries red or orange-yellow, ovoid, 4–20 mm, fleshy. Seeds 4–20. 2n = 24.

Phenology: Flowering Mar–Oct.
Habitat: Waste places, roadsides, fields.
Elevation: 0–2300 m.

Distribution

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• Legacy Map

Introduced; Alta., B.C., N.S., Ont., Que., Sask., Ala., Ark., Calif., Colo., Conn., Del., D.C., Ga., Idaho, Ill., Ind., Iowa, Kans., Ky., La., Maine, Md., Mass., Mich., Minn., Mo., Mont., Nebr., Nev., N.H., N.J., N.Mex., N.Y., N.C., N.Dak., Ohio, Okla., Oreg., Pa., R.I., S.C., S.Dak., Tenn., Tex., Utah, Vt., Va., Wash., W.Va., Wis., Wyo., Asia (China), introduced also in Eurasia, Pacific Islands (New Zealand), Australia.

Discussion

Lycium barbarum is naturalized across North America, Europe, and Asia, as well as Australia and New Zealand. It is commonly cultivated in northern China, especially in Ningxia province. The plants have uses from medicinal to tea and wine. See discussion of 15. L. chinense for confusion between these two introduced species, especially in the flora area.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.