Shrubs erect, 0.6–2.5 m; bark usually purplish to reddish; stems densely glandular-­pubescent. Leaves: blade spat­ulate to oblanceolate, 10–35 × 2–23 mm, surfaces usually densely glandular-pubescent. Inflorescences 2–3-flowered fas­cicles or solitary flowers. Pedi­cels 2–8 mm. Flowers (4–)5-merous; calyx narrowly campanulate, 4–14 mm, lobe lengths 0.5–1 times tube; corolla white or greenish yellow, sometimes purple-veined, tubular to funnelform, 8–15 mm, lobes 1.5–3 mm; stamens included to exserted. Berries greenish yellow to orange, ovoid, constricted at or distal to middle, 5–10 mm, dry, hard, strongly accrescent calyx usu­ally rupturing with fruit growth. Seeds 6–10. 2n = 24.

Phenology: Flowering Mar–May.
Habitat: Sandy washes to slopes (Mojave and Colorado deserts).
Elevation: 100–2000 m.

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

Ariz., Calif., Nev., Utah.

Discussion

Lycium cooperi occurs in western Arizona, south­eastern California, southern Nevada (Clark and Esmer­alda counties), and southwestern Utah (Washington County). It can be distinguished from the similar species L. pallidum and L. shockleyi by its dense, glandular pubescence and hard, constricted fruit.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.